Boston, MA – A pro-Israel rally held on Boston Common turned contentious on Monday when U.S. Senator Ed Markey’s call for de-escalation in the Middle East sparked loud boos from the crowd. The rally took place amidst an ongoing war between Israel and Hamas following a surprise attack over the weekend.
Markey commenced his speech by emphasizing Israel’s right to live peacefully in its rightful homeland, free from fear and violence, as reported by The Boston Globe. He condemned the “heinous attacks” and “vicious murders” perpetrated by Hamas, while also calling for the release of hostages.
However, his appeal for de-escalation received a chorus of boos from the audience, leading to a momentary disruption of his speech. The U.S. Department of State has designated Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization, and Markey’s call for diplomacy and an end to civilian casualties on both sides appeared to be met with mixed reactions from the crowd.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has prompted various responses and opinions from both domestic and international leaders, reflecting the complexities of the situation.