About 40 people gathered on the Pentacrest on Tuesday afternoon in Iowa City, days after Israel began striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon .
The group included members of Iowa City Students for Justice in Palestine , Veterans for Peace, and others. Many of the attendees attend weekly Friday afternoon meetings to call for peace.
Tuesday’s meeting was described as an “emergency protest” encouraging “Hands off Lebanon,” SJP said on Instagram .
Deadliest period since 2006 war
Israel began bombing Hezbollah targets in Lebanon Monday morning, just days after exploding pagers and walkie-talkies killed tens of people and injured thousands . Through Tuesday, the conflict represents the deadliest period between the neighboring Middle Eastern countries since the 33-day Israel-Lebanon war in 2006.
Signs in Iowa City asked to “Stop U.S.-funded ethnic cleansing,” and urged awareness that “Israel spends your tax dollars on terrorism.” Another sign said, “We remember all the martyrs. Mothers, fathers, sons and daughters.”