On Nov. 17, the ETSU Muslim Student Association in partnership with the Tri-Cities Party for Socialism and Liberation held a rally in Borchuck Plaza protesting the Israeli attacks on Palestine.

On Oct. 7, Hamas, which the United States government designates as a terrorist group, attacked Israel. Civilians in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and southern and central parts of Israel were killed or injured. Following the attack, mothers, children and elderly civilians were taken hostage by Hamas. Over a month later, Israeli hostages are still being held and Palestinians are unable to receive humanitarian aid as it is being withheld by Hamas.

Protestor holds a sign condemning Israel (Connor Lute/East Tennessean).

“There’s a humanitarian crisis going on in Gaza. There have been more than 10,000 people killed and almost half of them are children,” said MSA president Shazib Siddiqui. “We have three concerns: number one we want to have an immediate ceasefire of what’s going on; Number two, we want to end the US backing of Israel because they are funding the war; Number three, we also want to lift the scenes in Gaza.”

On Nov. 3, the United States House of Representatives passed legislation approving the funding of $14.3 billion to Israel. The legislation has yet to be taken up by the Senate; however it showcases the United States’ support of Israel. In 2023, Israel received $3.3 billion for funding from the United States, according to Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. On Oct. 18, President Joe Biden announced the funding of $100 million in humanitarian aid to the citizens of Gaza and the West Bank. Hamas is withholding this aid from Palestinians.

Palestinians living in Tennessee are seeing effects of the war in their lives as well. “We have a lot of people whose families live in Palestine…they don’t know if they are alive or not,” said Siddiqui. “I have a Palestinian friend who can’t contact his family because he doesn’t know if they’re dead or not.”

Borchuck Plaza was filled with about 100 protestors chanting “Ceasefire now!” while listening to speakers discuss Palestine.

A group of at least 10 counter-protestors filled the plaza with posters showcasing the names and faces of Israeli hostages.

Posters of Israeli civilians being held hostage were posted around Borchuck Plaza (Connor Lute/East Tennessean).

“[Protestors] are literally saying ‘from the river to the sea,’ and they basically are calling for Jewish extinction. They’re wanting to take over all of Israel, and wipe out all of Jewish existence,” said Lakie Derrick, president of ETSU Turning Point USA. “I think that this is honestly a sad thing because they just don’t understand the history.

“Hamas is sitting on all of this humanitarian aid that was given to them from all these countries, America included, and they’re sitting on it not allowing their civilians to use that, they’re not allowing their civilians to evacuate.”

Counter-protestors observe Borchuck Plaza from barricades (Connor Lute/East Tennessean).