Violence in Israel and Gaza Stirs Anger and Sadness in the Bay Area

The recent outbreak of violence in Israel and Gaza has led to uproar, sadness, anxiety and fear in the Bay Area. These emotions were front and center at rallies over the weekend organized by Jewish groups and organizations advocating for the Palestinian people.

At a rally Saturday in San Francisco, an estimated 3,000 people marched from the Ferry Building up Market Street in solidarity with the residents of Gaza. Protestors called for an end to Israel’s blockade and bombardment of Gaza, and for the United States government to cease its support of the Israeli military.

Suzanne Ali, an organizer for the Palestinian Youth Movement, said her family has been personally affected.

“This is something that’s been ongoing for us for over 75 years, and specifically me having family in Gaza and Khan Yunus, which was bombarded last night,” said Ali. “We still have hope for the survival of our family members.”

Brooke Lober, a feminist cultural studies scholar and activist with the nonprofit Jewish Voice for Peace, addressed the crowd saying, “If there’s anything we can learn from Jewish histories at all, it is to stand against genocide. Never again, for anyone.”

Israel has warned residents of northern Gaza to evacuate to southern parts of the enclave since Friday. Those with family, friends and close ties to the region are steeling themselves for a threatened ground invasion of Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces.

Sharif Zakout of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center called the ground invasion “a death sentence” for the people of Gaza.

“People have to recognize that Gaza is essentially an open-air prison.” Zakout said. “They have no way of leaving. … and they have no ability [or] freedom of movement.”

Monadel Herzallah, the Bay Area chapter leader of the United States Palestinian Community Network, read a message from his niece, who is in Gaza: “Perhaps, in a few hours, we will be cut off from the world due to the complete power outage. The internet will be cut off and the electricity company and street generators will not have a stock of diesel. We will die in silence, away from the eyes of the world and our friends.”

Five Bay Area lawmakers are calling on the U.S. to protect innocent civilians and ensure funding for humanitarian assistance for both Palestinians and Israelis. They’re among the 55 members of Congress who sent a letter Friday to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling the current situation in Gaza a humanitarian crisis.

“Israel has the right to defend itself from Hamas, but must do so within the framework of international law,” said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-12th District) from Oakland on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

For other Bay Area residents with ties to Israel, the attack by Hamas forces last week and the ensuing bloodshed and taking of hostages was still front of mind. At a rally on Friday outside of San Francisco City Hall, hundreds of people gathered to demand the release of the hostages still being held by Hamas. They wore blue shirts, carried Israeli flags and held up posters with pictures of those missing.

Officials say at least 150 people — soldiers, civilians, young and old — were taken to Gaza as hostages by Hamas, some of whom may be U.S. citizens.

“I call on the local and global community to stand with Israel as we fight for our lives, our homes and our future,” said Israeli citizen Efrat Rafaeli, amid chants of “bring them back” from the crowd. “I call on mothers and fathers to help Israel get our children back alive and safe.”

Nirit Hazan, who was born and raised in Israel, said her own mother had to be rescued and that her community is shattered.

“This is like the one worst nightmare I had as a child,” said Hazan, who grew up in a kibbutz that was attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7. “It’s horrifying.”

State Sen. Josh Becker on Friday said the California Legislative Jewish Caucus has been in touch with the U.S. State Department as well as with U.S. senators to call for the release of the hostages.

“No matter how you feel about Middle East politics, we can all agree that kidnapping women and children and the elderly is wrong,” said Becker. “It’s a violation of international law. We need them released now.”

For Israeli-born Arta Zygielbaum, attending Friday’s rally was about being with others.

“At a time like this, you want to feel like you are part of a community who is feeling what you are feeling,” said Zygielbaum. “I think the world is watching and observing and seeing what is happening, it’s a sad day for all of us.”

UC Berkeley is increasing the presence of security officers on campus after reports of online threats, doxxing and harassment between students connected to the conflict. On Thursday, Chancellor Carol T. Christ assured students that the campus is taking “steps necessary to support public safety for all at events and protests related to the conflict and across the campus in general.”

The statement included a joint message from two professors — Palestinian Hatem Bazian and Israeli Ron Hassner — who “disagree, vehemently.”

“[W]e have always treated one another with respect and dignity,” the statement read. “We love this campus with its diverse communities and all of our students and are heartbroken to hear of incidents of near violence between students in recent days. We will not tolerate our students harming one another. Disagreement and differing points of view are an essential part of campus life, and we expect that you treat one another with the same respect and dignity that we are modeling here.”

A vigil for those killed in the violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories is planned for Sunday afternoon at Oakland’s Lake Merritt.

KQED’s Marnette Federis, Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, Sydney Johnson, Annelise Finney and Attila Pelit contributed to this story.