What Indiana leaders, groups are saying about latest wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence

Rashika Jaipuriar
Indianapolis Star

As the the latest wave of Israeli-Palestine violence enters a second week, local leaders, organizations and everyday Hoosiers are reacting to the headlines and scenes from overseas.

Heavy fighting broke out May 10 when Gaza's militant Hamas rulers fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests against Israel's heavy-handed policing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims, and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers, the Associated Press reported.

More:Palestinians go on strike as Israel, Hamas trade fire

More:Key players in the Israel-Palestinian conflict and why peace remains elusive in Gaza

At least 213 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes, including 61 children and 36 women, with more than 1,440 have been wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. As the fighting drags on, medical supplies, fuel and water are running low in Gaza. Ten people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy and a soldier, have been killed in the ongoing rocket attacks launched from civilian areas in Gaza toward civilian areas in Israel.

On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes rained down on Gaza and militants fired dozens of rockets from the Hamas-ruled territory. Palestinians across Israel and the occupied territories have started a strike in a rare collective action against Israel's policies, the Associated Press reported. 

The fighting is the most intense since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, but efforts to halt it have so far stalled. President Joe Biden has "expressed his support for a cease-fire," according to USA TODAY. 

'It's a human rights issue':Thousands across US join global protests in solidarity with Palestine

Hoosiers gathered this weekend, joining thousands of people across the country, to stand in solidarity with Palestinian people in Gaza. Another protest and vigil will be hosted Tuesday at Monument Circle.

More:Biden expresses support for Israel, Gaza cease-fire amid pressure from own party

More:Amid warnings of a 'full scale war,' Biden administration dispatches envoy to Middle East

Here's what local leaders and organizations are saying:

Rep. Jackie Walorski

2nd Congressional District

Rep. Jim Banks

3rd Congressional District

Rep. Greg Pence

6th Congressional District 

Rep. André Carson

7th Congressional District

Carson spoke on the House floor on Thursday, on Eid, standing "in solidarity with the Palestinian people." 

"I join the countless people around the world," Carson said, "who have vehemently opposed to the planned, forced evictions of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah and saddened by the escalating violence that threatens Israelis and Palestinians alike. We must condemn all forms of violence and mourn the loss of both Palestinian lives and Israeli lives."

Carson continued later in his speech, "For too long, America has looked the other way as Israel has engaged in this horrific campaign against Palestinians." 

He noted he was one of three Muslims serving in Congress.

Carson also released a statement last week, alongside Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) on Monday. A portion of the statement read:

“We are horrified by the violent assault by Israeli forces on the Al Aqsa mosque, and the continued violent attacks on the Palestinian people during the holy month of Ramadan. More than 300 people were injured in the attack, 200 of whom have been hospitalized.

“Everyone, regardless of their faith, deserves refuge and peace in their places of worship. The same should apply to Palestinians, especially during the holy month of Ramadan ... It is long past time we finally take action to protect Palestinian human rights and save lives."

Sen. Todd Young

On Monday, Young joined Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and other senators, including Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) in introducing a new resolution to reaffirm support for Israel and condemn attacks by Hamas.

Young said: "Israel has the right to defend itself from Hamas’ terror attacks. I continue to stand with Israel, and I’m hopeful that Israel’s actions will neutralize Hamas’s rocket attacks and cease their terrorism of the people of Israel. Just eight months ago, unprecedented peace was breaking out in the Middle East. The regime in Iran was nearing financial collapse and the historic Abraham Accords were paving the way for prosperity. We must act now to help restore peace in the region by cutting off those in Iran who funnel support to their terrorist proxy forces in Gaza."

Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)

On Saturday, the Plainfield-based organization released a statement, with an excerpt reading: "ISNA strongly condemns Israeli police violence against Palestinian citizens in East Jerusalem ... ISNA President, Safaa Zarzour, calls on the Biden administration to intervene and cease all settlement activity and occupation of Palestinian land."

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Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council 

On Sunday, the Indianapolis JCRC spoke about supporting community members who are "feeling an increase in anti-Jewish sentiment."

"Sadly, when tensions are high, we see the line between criticism of Israel cross into antisemitism far too often." 

Last week, the council responded directly to statements made by Rep. Carson last week. A portion of their statement read:

"The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council is extremely disappointed in Indiana Representative Andre Carson’s statements and actions regarding the recent Hamas rocket attacks on Israel and the circumstances leading up to the attacks.

"On May 11, while hundreds of rockets were raining down on innocent Israeli civilians, including family and friends of many in the Indianapolis Jewish community, Rep. Carson chose to participate in an anti-Israel rally in front of the U.S. State Department at which he applauded speakers accusing Israel of ethnic cleansing ...

"We expect more from Rep. Carson than this divisive rhetoric.  At the very least, we rightly expect our elected officials to unequivocally condemn Hamas, a globally-recognized terrorist organization that has launched more than 1,000 rockets indiscriminately toward innocent civilians of all faiths and communities - Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Bedouin alike.  We invite Rep. Carson to issue such a condemnation, to cease his use of divisive rhetoric when discussing the Middle East, and to focus his energy, leadership, and words in pursuit of practical and balanced efforts to help bring about a cessation to the violence."

Party for Socialism and Liberation - Indianapolis

On Sunday, the group posted about their weekend protest, co-hosted with other Indianapolis organizations, "to stand with Palestine and to demand an end to US aid to Israel amid the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and horrific war crimes."

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SJP Butler, Answer Indiana

Multiple organizations, including Butler University's Students for Justice in Palestine, are hosting a protest and vigil at Monument Circle Tuesday. The day of action is in solidarity with the people of Sheikh Jarrah, with movements taking place around the world. The protest, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. asks people to march to Sen. Todd Young's office to demand action. The vigil from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. will commemorate the lives lost in recent weeks.

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Mike Pence

The former vice president tweeted a video message Tuesday. Pence criticized the Biden administration and touted his time in office, saying: "the Trump-Pence administration's commitment to Israel was unrivaled," highlighting the administration's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the U.S. embassy's move to Jerusalem in 2018. 

"America stands with Israel," he said.

The Associated Press and USA TODAY contributed to this report. 

This story will be updated.

Contact IndyStar reporter Rashika Jaipuriar at rjaipuriar@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @rashikajpr.