Hundreds of people supporting Israelis and Palestinians descended on Copley Square this afternoon, beating drums, delivering rival chants, and occasionally screaming at each other.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags, some with bullhorns, chanted "Free Palestine" in response to Israel's actions in Gaza, while pro-Israeli protesters in a counter-rally chanted "Free Gaza from Hamas." Police stood between the groups.
At least 630 Palestinians and 29 Israelis — 27 soldiers and two civilians — have been killed in more than two weeks of armed conflict.
The Boston chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace posted on its website a Facebook invitation to a rally starting at 5:30 p.m. in Copley Square calling for Israel to "end the siege of Gaza." In response, a counter-rally invitation was posted to Facebook calling on participants to "Stand against terror" and condemn the actions of Hamas in the conflict.
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Images from Boston showed large crowds gathered in Copley Square and on Boylston Street as part of the demonstrations.
Below are images and reports from the scene:
Huge and loud Gaza protest is visible right now from my MA State House office pic.twitter.com/InKdiOhVoJ
— Joshua Miller (@jm_bos) July 22, 2014Large clash of protesters on Copley Square now. Pro Israelis chanting, "Free Gaza from Hamas." pic.twitter.com/RMYevUI1Ov
— David Abel (@davabel) July 22, 2014Pro Palestinians on Copley Square chanting, "Free Palestine." pic.twitter.com/b2VKf1qsU6
— David Abel (@davabel) July 22, 2014Huge pro-Palestine protest in Boston that fills all of Copley Square and stretches down Boylston Street pic.twitter.com/NII79Z147V
— Mary Anne Marsh (@maryannemarsh) July 22, 2014Palestine supporters get a head start from Copley, threatening blockade at Statehouse #wcvb pic.twitter.com/IIkDaxTpML
— Janet Wu (@WuWCVB) July 22, 2014Reporting for WERS today from the #Boston4Gaza protests at Copley Square pic.twitter.com/OFQBcwXCTD
— Jaclyn Diaz (@jaclynmdiaz) July 22, 2014Pro Palestinian demonstrators marching from Copley Square to the State House#wcvb pic.twitter.com/y2mnmL4RHx
— Jorge Quiroga (@JorgeWCVB) July 22, 2014At least 100 people showing up across from Copley every 10 minutes for rally. 'Free Palestine' side has about double, maybe 400. #Boston
— Chris Faraone (@Fara1) July 22, 2014Well over 1000 rallying in Copley right now. Getting super loud. Airhorns. Bullhorns. Tension escalating... http://t.co/HKt03JE7KU #Boston
— Chris Faraone (@Fara1) July 22, 2014