Israel-Gaza Dispute Draws Demonstrators In Omaha

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Peace vigil held at 72nd and Dodge
Posted: 4:44 PM Jan 10, 2009
Last Updated: 12:03 AM Jan 11, 2009
Reporter: WOWT
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

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Protesters gathered at the intersection of 72nd and Dodge in Omaha Saturday afternoon, holding signs and flags against the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

The group Nebraskans For Peace said the peace vigil was an effort to raise awareness about the horrors in Gaza. The demonstration was part of an effort across the U.S. and around the world Saturday to draw attention to the issue.

Many who participated in Omaha are from the region and have family and friends in the Gaza area.

Israel says its two-week-old offensive is intended to stop Palestinian Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israel. Palestinian medical officials say more than 800 people have been killed, most of them civilians.

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Posted by: Henry on Jan 13, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Why don't you go back to the Gaza strip and protest? I'm sure they will appreciate your efforts there allot more than we do here! I don't care about Hamas, and I really don't give a hoot about Israel, but if Israel is having missiles lobbed into its country by Hamas from the Gaza strip that Israel gave back to your people just a few years ago; in my opinion Hamas and the people in the Gaza strip that are lobbing these missiles deserve EVERYTHING Israel gives them back and then some!

Posted by: Austin on Jan 12, 2009 at 10:47 PM
1967 -Following a long period of tension, Israel attacks - destroys the Egyptian air force on the ground, conquers and occupies Sinai and Gaza, then conquers the West Bank from Jordan, and Golan Heights from Syria. UN resolution 242 (November 1967) called for Israeli withdrawal, establishment of peace. 1978- Israel invaded Lebanon (operation Litani) after the PLO hijacked a bus on the main Tel-Aviv to Haifa highway. UN resolution 425 of March 19, 1978 called for withdrawal of Israeli forces. Israel did not fulfill the terms of Resolution 425 until May 2000. 1981- Israel destroys Iraqi nuclear reactor in daring raid. 1982 -Israeli invasion of West Beirut 1989 -Israeli Peace Plan of May 14, 1989, calls for a negotiating process with the Palestinians very similar to the one actually implemented by the Oslo accords. Enlighten yourself, don't just listen to news made two weeks ago, find the history of the situation first before you write your opinion. 2005 wasn't the first "sieze fire"

Posted by: Kyle on Jan 12, 2009 at 05:59 PM
Here is the main problem. Where have these demonstrators been for the past 3 years as Hamas, a terrorist network, sends a barrage of missiles into southern Israel killing innocent civilians? These "demonstrators" are trying to legitimize a terrorist network's murderous rampages against an actual legitimate government that is recognized by the international community (besides Iran). Israel is a government trying to PROTECT ITS INNOCENT CIVILIANS! Obama even said in July while visiting Israel that he himself would protect his own family at all costs if they too were being subjected to constant rocket and mortar attacks..."at all costs". Think about it people, these demonstrators are extremely fickle and ignorant. It's sad really, very sad!

Posted by: J from Bennington on Jan 12, 2009 at 04:45 PM
@Ashamed of you all: Nope, don't watch Fox News. Newsflash for you and the Nebraskans for Peace: I can't stop Israel. I can't stop Hamas. The U.S. can't. The U.N. can't. Got it? But for your entertainment, here's a great article, published today in _The Jerusalem Post_: "Where were the protesters when missiles were hitting Israel?" Found that alongside of the Washington Post and Christian Science Monitor articles on Google News, which I use to round things out. (Oh, some articles on _The Jerusalem Post_ are quite critical of the Israeli government, fyi.)

Posted by: Sarah Frey on Jan 12, 2009 at 02:40 PM
To Ashamed: I actually just left Israel in August after living there for a year. I was living in the south. So the rocket blasts and the stuff going on I do have firsthand knowledge of. P.S. I am a democrat too....a liberal.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 12, 2009 at 02:20 PM
Half a dozen Nebraskans for Appeasement nuts with signs out of half a million citizens. They're statistically insignificant, and are effectively rounded off.

Posted by: For a Palestinian State on Jan 12, 2009 at 02:17 PM
It's unreal to see how many Israel supporters are there in this town, at the edge of the known universe. I am not sure what Israel has done for the US to deserve such 'preferential' treatment. The Palestinian people live in indescribable poverty conditions and it is only because of Israel's actions. Nobody can deny that. Israeli policy seems to dictate total annihilation of any hope for a Palestinian state and we can see that in action. How would you connect Gaza to West Bank, even if a Palestinian state was to be agreed on? Israel wants to take Gaza off the table for establishing a Palestinian state and the visible outcome of this policy is this military action that uses the maximum force available to Israel. Wake up and smell the flowers: Palestine with Gaza would be a disadvantage to Israel due to geography and neighbors.

Posted by: Larry on Jan 12, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Well why don't they scream at the Gazans? to leave Isreal alone. They promiise to eventually eliminate Israel. Perhaps CB should start lobbing rockets at their next protest. I'm sick and tired of the liberal media not defending the protection of Israel from terrorists. I for one will not bow to the east for any religion that considers me or my thoughts as "infidel". My tax dollars should not support those that do not support my Country-founded on OUR principles.

Posted by: AB on Jan 12, 2009 at 01:09 PM
It's spelled "PEACE" people, not piece, pease, or however odd way some think to put it. And it's a stupid word based on a foolish belief in a cruel, murderous world. When anyone can justify the death of innocent children based on what they perceive is right then what hope do we have? Who cares what power struggle any of these cowardly fools have, the USA, Israel, including the rest of the world truly needs to step up for themselves and break their leaders down, stop lending their arms to the ridiculous fights for those people, and find heart for their families and the families of others. Sad it's not going to happen. Face it, the human world is going backwards, and people like to distinguish us from the better creatures of this planet by saying that we have intelligence. Tell me, where?

Posted by: Ashamed of you all on Jan 12, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Let me ask this - how many of you know-it-alls have been to Israel/Palestine to get your information firsthand? I doubt any of you - you are the kind of people who believe everything you hear on Fox News. You might just want to check your sources before you start spouting a bunch of nonsense. And I'm sure most of you are conservatives, so you should know better than to listen to everything the media says regarding the conflict. Believe me, things are much different when you see them firsthand than what popular opinion is. You all are truly pathetic. Quit wasting your time being negative and do something good for society.

Posted by: To Matt on Jan 12, 2009 at 05:57 AM
You forgot to mention one thing. Israel gave Gaza to the Palestinian's in a PEASE deal. Since then, it's been used for nothing but to lob rockets at Israel's nieghborhoods. Gaza was a very lovely place before the Palestinian's took it over. The Palestinian's took it over and totally took a viable area and turned it into a slum. I know, I was there while it was in Israel and I was there after the Palestinian's took it over. You can put out all the numbers you want. It doesn't change the facts. The Palestinian's are at fault here, PERIOD!

Posted by: ToddM on Jan 11, 2009 at 09:17 PM
When are these idiots going to protest Hamas for using schools, hospitals and residential areas as cover for the missles they shoot into residential areas of Israel? The politically correct thing is to denounce Israel to protect themselves and take out these missles and thugs that fire them. I'm all for Israel squising Hamas like a bug.

Posted by: Sarah Frey on Jan 11, 2009 at 09:12 PM
So Israel finally has stepped up and they are kicking butt! For how long must a society stand by and have rockets aimed at its civilian population? The Operation Cast Lead, which is underway now, has targeted places of worship and civilian communities, but not without warning. Phone calls to residents and leaflets dropped from planes have warned Gaza civilians of Israel’s intentions to rid Hamas of their weapons and their weapon making factories. It is Hamas who uses the places of worship and schools and neighborhoods as places for weapon storage and manufacturing in an attempt to use the civilians as HUMAN SHIELDS. In what society or faith is this OK? At what point must they pay for their actions? Firing at Israeli soldiers from within a school playground because they know that Israel will not fight back and if they do they will just say Israel is targeting civilians and children. Why are these children playing in the streets during a WAR where there are bombs and gunfire everyday?

Posted by: Sarah Frey on Jan 11, 2009 at 08:47 PM
I have a question to pose – If Hamas is in the right, and Israel is SO wrong, why have none of the other Arab Nations stepped in to help? Why have Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan stood by without lifting a finger to help? In the 6 day war it was Jordan, Egypt, and Syria who all fought Israel and LOST. Even Hezbollah wants NOTHING to do with Hamas! After the 3 rockets were fired into northern Israel last week from Lebanon, Hezbollah made a call to the Lebanon government saying they had NOTHING to do with that attack. Hezbollah doesn’t even want to help Hamas. KNOW THE FACTS BEFORE YOU PLACE BLAME!

Posted by: Sarah Frey on Jan 11, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Hamas security is fighting in street clothes not in uniforms, when they are shot remove their weapon and they are counted as a civilian. There are tunnels that have been found between the Egyptian border and Gaza for weapon smuggling. Should these tunnels not be destroyed? Egypt had also closed the border between itself and Gaza, but tried to reopen it in order to provide help to those injured – did Hamas allow people to go get help? NO, they would not allow its own citizens medical attention. They wanted the death toll to rise. They want the world to see that they are the victims here, but they are not! They are the antagonizing party in this battle. Israel must be allowed to defend herself! ! Israel is not a weak country, it is small but has a MIGHTY MIGHTY army, one that has fought war after war in defense. The 6 Day War, 1967, when the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights were all conquered. One cannot expect to Israel to stand by silent. Cont...

Posted by: Sarah Frey on Jan 11, 2009 at 08:05 PM
The Palestinians wanted Gaza back...Israel finally gave in and turned the land over - All Israelis were pulled out of their homes and left Gaza in an effort for peace. Was there peace??? NO. Hamas, a TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, was VOTED IN by the RESIDENTS of Gaza. Hamas has fired rockets at the civilians in southern Israel...throughout a cease fire! Through these last 2 years Israel has been patient. Trying by other means than war to stop these TERRORISTS WHO TARGET CIVILIANS! With threats of border closings and power outages...in order to peacefully stop these attacks, wouldn't a "government" want what is best for its people? NO HAMAS did not stop or let up, so the borders were closed and the power was shut off for small increments in an effort to halt the rocket blasts from Gaza to southern Israel. Israel, although they have no governing ability over the Gaza strip, has provided water and electricity to this area. But there is not let up of rocket blasts to southern Israel. Cont...

Posted by: anonymous on Jan 11, 2009 at 08:01 PM
To Anonymous: Thank you for helping me see the ignorant comment I made. I was ignorant enough to say "potential suicide bombers". Now that hindsight is 20/20 I should have said "800 people less to be suicide bombers" Thanks again!

Posted by: Jeff.0 on Jan 11, 2009 at 05:39 PM
Matt, all of the statistics in the world won't hide your anti-Semitic ideology. War is hell, but I suppose you believe Israel should continue allowing Hamas to rocket Israeli civilians, rather than risk harming the Palestinians held captive by Hamas in Gaza. Face it, the people you claim to care about are being held by Hamas as human shields. Hamas cares less about other Palestinians than the Israelis do! Israel sends supplies, while Hamas keeps the supplies from the people, because pictures of starving people in American news aid their cause. And I have no interest in reading Hamas' resolutions, since they are as worthless as Hitler's treaties with Poland and other nations.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 11, 2009 at 04:13 PM
Where were these demonstrators when the Palestinians were shooting rockets or sending suicide bombers into Israel? These Nebraskans for Piece need to go over to Israel and see what it is like to be injured or have loved ones killed because of the rockets or suicide bombers from the Palestinians. Isn't it interesting that any piece plan that is agreed to to always first violated by hamas or some other terrorist group out of Palestine. If these protesters had their way terrorists would run this world.

Posted by: dan on Jan 11, 2009 at 03:26 PM
Hamas fires rockets into Israel. Israel has had enough and says it will crush Hamas, good for Israel, we should all sit back and watch how a war is won. Pound them when they are down and pound them even more. War should have no rules. If you don't like it, get out. Nebraskans for Peace should be more concerned about the violence on our streets and the drunk drivers on our roads right here in Omaha,NEBRASKA. Fire away Israel, you have my full support. Matt? you play golf?

Posted by: anonymous on Jan 11, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Good for Isreal! 800 people killed means that there are 800 people less to be potential suicide bombers. -- wow how ignorant of you.

Posted by: PunishIsrael on Jan 11, 2009 at 03:21 PM
We are all guilty in 'accepting' -albeit tacitly- Israel's aggression toeards Gaza. We give Israel billions of dollars a year in 'aid' and almost all of that is used to buy weapon systems from our companies. Israel is 'following' us in using aggression trying to solve a fundamentally flawed international system. The more weapons you have the more powerfull you are, and Israel is second to us in terms of weaponery. We need to coerce Israel to stop their aggression and we also need to establish a Palestinian country with the territories illegally occupied by Israel after the 1967 war. At that stage we an work with Palestine and Israel as 2 fully recognized legal entities.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 11, 2009 at 02:32 PM
First I agree with everything "Get Real" said. Second,to Matt Callaway; the 3500 tons of food is a supplment. Where is it written that Israel is supposed to feed, cloth and give them medical care? Stop the Hanas rockets and all sorts of humanitarian aid will flow in. Hamas has vowed to "wipe Isreal off the map" When has Israel vowed to wipe out the Palistians? Isreal wants to live in peace. Tell that to Hamas!

Posted by: Tom on Jan 11, 2009 at 02:32 PM
Gaza is nothing buat a Auschwitz concentration camp for Israel. You rock Matt.

Posted by: Rich on Jan 11, 2009 at 02:03 PM
Sounds like the nebraskans for peace are more like local terrorists or supporters of such groups. Hamas is nothing but a terrorist group that has been killing people for years. When they are getting their butts kicked then they start to cry foul. What about all the innocent people they have killed over the years. They started the fight let Israel finish it. Dont ask questions on how they do it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 11, 2009 at 01:18 PM
Every dead terrorist is catogorized as a "civilian". That is how it works when you don't have a standing army.

Posted by: Joe the Citizen on Jan 11, 2009 at 12:17 PM
To Matt- Postings on this site do not require a name and I do not see why you would need to know anyone's name, their point of view remains the same. And I appreciate you showing us your mathmatic abilites but my question remains to you, what is the appropriate and proportionate response to the thousands of rockets fired by Hamas at Isreal. I have yet to get an answer from all these people who want to hold up signs and point their finger at Isreal. And to your point about Isreal controlling access to Gaza, it is funny then how Hamas is able to smuggle all these rockets into Gaza and bipass the closed borders. If they cared about their people, why don't they instead of smuggling rockets, start smuggling food and medicine. It is very simple, put the responsibility of this crisis where it belongs, with the coward terrorist group Hamas and quit expoiting the conflict for your own causes.

Posted by: mTm on Jan 11, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Matt, It is nice to see you think you know some facts. Congrats on the cut and paste. Maybe go over there and help/protest and then you may get some street cred. The people in Gaza allowed Hamas to taken them over and use them as a staging ground. I feel sorry for people but not as much for the ones that won't try to help themselves. Mike T. Martin

Posted by: Stu on Jan 11, 2009 at 11:47 AM
The "Nebraskans for Peace" are nothing but a bunch of cronies who ideals and agenda trying, and winning, to get the same notoriety as another group here in the midwest....Shirley Phelps Roper and the Westboro Baptist Church.

Posted by: alan on Jan 11, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Matt: Why are you still in Omaha? A man of your ability could really make a difference in Gaza. You should go to the first rocket launcher you find , and try to talk these terrorist out of firing their rocket into Isreal. I'm sure you could do it, and then you would be making a "real" differnce in this country.

Posted by: Support Israel on Jan 11, 2009 at 10:18 AM
What a bunch of idiots. Israel has tried to live in peace with these terrorists from the beginning. I bet Matt Callaway would like to defend himself if constantly attacked-- hypocrite.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 11, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Israel must and will defend themselves, Most people in America have never been to Israel and do not know or believe this Country is under constant attacks by Terrorism. The Palestinian people elected Hamas to lead there Government and the policy of Hamas is to never accept Israel as a nation and to do what ever it can to destroy it. YOU WANT BLOOD PALASTIEN, YOU GOT IT!

Posted by: J from Bennington on Jan 11, 2009 at 09:06 AM
@Matt Callaway: I haven't posted my name since some nut job called and threatened me and my family. Hamas' charter? Your naivety in defending Hamas is grating. It's a terrorist organization. They overthrew the legitimate government there. Who is responsible for starting all of this? Hamas. Don't blame Israel for conditions within Gaza which started well before the ground invasion by Israel.

Posted by: Dan on Jan 11, 2009 at 08:54 AM
Matt, have you and the "Peace" protesters ever protested the atrocities committed against the Israelis? Like the bus bombings, etc the Israeli Mother and her four children who were shot to death? Probably not because that would go against your support of Hamas and Hezbollah and against your hatred of Israel.

Posted by: SAD on Jan 11, 2009 at 05:53 AM
It was cold yesterday and this kind of stuff should not be happening in our city. I'm sure they feel it's freedom of speech and all, but what if those who back Israel decided to picket Gaza on the other side of the street? It would be a riot and drivers in the middle would be getting hurt! I know they feel their side is right and I'm sorry Palestinians feel they got cheated so many years ago, as the Bible story goes, but that's not my fault or anyone else's fault. Go talk to God about why he let that happen. Maybe He knew that this would happen. It's like the older child beating up the younger child just because.

Posted by: moreta on Jan 11, 2009 at 02:38 AM
matt--Issreal wouldn't be in this position is the hamas didn't use the very people you say you are protesting for as human shields. where is your outrage for that. Obviously that is not important as putting down Isreal

Posted by: Hey Matt Callaway on Jan 11, 2009 at 01:28 AM
You're commended for having the energy to fight for a cause. Now, you need to find a worthy cause to fight for....you're in over your head here. Or maybe just stupid.

Posted by: c on Jan 11, 2009 at 01:20 AM
Until we can fix what is going on in the United States we don't need to play world police and fix other countries problems.

Posted by: Raed on Jan 11, 2009 at 12:48 AM
It's really sad to see that much hostility against a peaceful vigil, it just shows how much we are misinformed about the reality in the middle east and how biased we are when it comes to Israel. most people seem to forget that the reason behind the middle east conflict is the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. you can not imprison 1.5 million people in a small area like Gaza and prevent food, water and fuel from getting to them, not to mention the frequent raids and kidnapping, and expect them to sit silently and not to react. the only solution is for the occupation to end, and for a Palestinian state to be established. it's also quite racist to belittle the Palestinian suffering. i beg all of you to actually visit the middle east and see what is actually going on, instead of repeating all the one-sided information you see on TV.

Posted by: Joseph Harris on Jan 11, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Well said Callaway. Also, where was the American media when Hamas was holding up their end of the truce by halting rocket fire and cracking down on the more radical Islamic Jihad from firing rockets, yet Israel wasn't holding up their promise up lifting the blockade of Gaza that has been choking them off, allowing nothing in. These people were starving, so yeah, Hamas broke the truce. The BBC was regularly covering the events leading up to this about the UN declaring Gaza as a humanitarian crises all because of the Israeli blockade. But our fine media in the States ignored that. Do your research people. Don't believe IsraeLIES.

Posted by: Matt Callaway on Jan 10, 2009 at 10:23 PM
It's good to see every poster so far is not willing to let their names be known. If you really want to know why I was protesting, I will let you know. I can send you maps, census history, resolutions and other documents including Hamas' charter. The protest was not in support of Hamas, it was in support of the people of Gaza who are being collectively punished. 3500 tons of food - breakdown: 3,500 tons * 2,240lbs/ton =7,840,000lbs 7,840,000lbs / 1,500,000 people =5.226lbs/person 5.226lbs/person / 14days = .373lbs/person/day .373lbs/person/day * 16oz/lb = 5.973oz/person/day Since Israel is still legally the occupying power in Gaza and controls access to Gaza by land, sea, and air they are responsible for any humanitarian crisis. Living on less than 6oz of food per day...how humane. Anyone interested in my research, I'd be happy to share it with you, no matter your opinion going into it. myspace.com/mavsguy842 or find me on Facebook and I'll be happy to oblige.

Posted by: Dave F on Jan 10, 2009 at 10:10 PM
After 7 years of having rockets fired at them, Israel finally had enough! These peacenicks are livig in a fantasy world and don't realize that you can only take so much and you have to fight back.

Posted by: Get Real on Jan 10, 2009 at 09:37 PM
Yes, let's raise awareness about the horrors in Gaza. Since this defensive action by Israel began, Israel has shipped over 3500 tons of material aid to the Gazan people. The fact that Hamas uses women and children as human shields for their jihadis, hides their wepons in their houses of worship, and let's not forget the Hamas Charter betrays their claim to any moral high ground. I wonder if Nebraskans for Peace have read that. If not, they should. If they have and still protest the Israeli action, they betray the name Nebraskans for Peace. I will be canceling my subscription to their newsletter on monday.

Posted by: anonymous on Jan 10, 2009 at 08:03 PM
Good for Isreal! 800 people killed means that there are 800 people less to be potential suicide bombers.

Posted by: Joe the Citizen on Jan 10, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Would someone explain to me where these demonstrators were the past three years as THOUSANDS of rockets were being fired by cowards from the Gaza strip into Isreal? And my second question, what is the appropriate, proportionate response to these thousands of rockets being fired at civilians in Isreal. Seems to me the those people on the corner of 72nd and Dodge would not be there if not for the actions of the terrorist in Gaza firing these rockets.....put the blame where it belongs and re-word your signs to reflect such.

Posted by: J from Bennington on Jan 10, 2009 at 05:54 PM
I'll be sure to tell Israel to knock it off right away, now that my attention has been drawn to the issue.

Posted by: Todd on Jan 10, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Where were these peacenicks when Gaza was repeatedly lobbing rockets into Israeli territories? Of course, Nebraskans For Peace is for the militant islamic group. Go figure.