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PHOTOS: Columbia's Jewish community gathers to show support for Israel

The Gamecocks for Israel student organization at Â鶹Сòòò½´«Ã½ held a rally on Dec. 7, 2023, to show support for Israel and call for an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Members of the Jewish community in Columbia and allies gathered on Greene Street while Jewish students and community leaders gave speeches. Speakers included second-year international business student and president of Hillel at Â鶹Сòòò½´«Ã½ Casey Fitzgerald, Rabbi Sruly Epstein of Chabad at Â鶹Сòòò½´«Ã½ and Alpha Epsilon Pi President Bari Klarberg. The rally was interrupted by a group of pro-Palestine counter-protestors but quickly resumed after campus police and several members of the rally intervened.

West Columbia resident Julie Shearer (left) paints the Israeli flag on a rally attendee during the pro-Israel event on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. Members and allies of the Jewish community gathered in support of Israel and to call for an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
West Columbia resident Julie Shearer (left) paints the Israeli flag on a rally attendee during the pro-Israel event on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. Members and allies of the Jewish community gathered in support of Israel and to call for an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Alpha Epsilon Pi President Bari Klarberg speaks during a pro-Israel rally on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. Klarberg told attendees to educate themselves and educate others amid misinformation about the war in Gaza.
Alpha Epsilon Pi President Bari Klarberg speaks during a pro-Israel rally on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. Klarberg told attendees to educate themselves and educate others amid misinformation about the war in Gaza.
An attendee carries an Israeli flag during the pro-Israel rally on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. Jewish locals and allies came out to support during the rally, calling for an end to violence in Gaza.
An attendee carries an Israeli flag during the pro-Israel rally on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. Jewish locals and allies came out to support during the rally, calling for an end to violence in Gaza.
Participants stand with United States and Israeli flags during a pro-Israel rally on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. Event organizers said about 200 people attended the rally in front of Russell House.
Participants stand with United States and Israeli flags during a pro-Israel rally on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. Event organizers said about 200 people attended the rally in front of Russell House.
Rabbi Sruly Epstein speaks during a rally for Israel on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. The Rabbi spoke about the ongoing efforts made by the campus community and the Gamecocks for Israel student organization in its approach to fighting antisemitism.
Rabbi Sruly Epstein speaks during a rally for Israel on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. The Rabbi spoke about the ongoing efforts made by the campus community and the Gamecocks for Israel student organization in its approach to fighting antisemitism.
A rally attendee holds a miniature Israeli flag to show support during a pro-Israel event on Dec. 7, 2023. Members of the Gamecocks for Israel organization hosted the rally on Greene Street.
A rally attendee holds a miniature Israeli flag to show support during a pro-Israel event on Dec. 7, 2023. Members of the Gamecocks for Israel organization hosted the rally on Greene Street.
Second-year international business student Casey Fitzgerald (center) stands with other supporters during a pro-Israel rally on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. Fitzgerald is president of the Â鶹Сòòò½´«Ã½ chapter of Hillel and interns with Olami.
Second-year international business student Casey Fitzgerald (center) stands with other supporters during a pro-Israel rally on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. Fitzgerald is president of the Â鶹Сòòò½´«Ã½ chapter of Hillel and interns with Olami.
A rally organizer (right) pushes back a counter-protester (left) during the pro-Israel rally on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. The short altercation began after the camouflaged protestor began tearing down Israeli and United States flags hanging up on the wall for the rally while another protestor took the microphone to accuse Israel of committing genocide and call the U.S. complicit.
A rally organizer (right) pushes back a counter-protester (left) during the pro-Israel rally on Greene Street on Dec. 7, 2023. The short altercation began after the camouflaged protestor began tearing down Israeli and United States flags hanging up on the wall for the rally while another protestor took the microphone to accuse Israel of committing genocide and call the U.S. complicit.
A pro-Israel rally attendee holds both the American and Israeli flags out on Greene Street during the pro-Israel rally on Dec. 7, 2023. Several rally-goers gathered on Greene Street, holding up flags after counter-protestors tore the flags down.
A pro-Israel rally attendee holds both the American and Israeli flags out on Greene Street during the pro-Israel rally on Dec. 7, 2023. Several rally-goers gathered on Greene Street, holding up flags after counter-protestors tore the flags down.
A poster with pro-Israel messages sits on a table on Greene Street during the rally on Dec. 7, 2023. The rally attracted about 200 supporters from Â鶹Сòòò½´«Ã½ and the Columbia community.
A poster with pro-Israel messages sits on a table on Greene Street during the rally on Dec. 7, 2023. The rally attracted about 200 supporters from Â鶹Сòòò½´«Ã½ and the Columbia community.