Islamic Society of Milwaukee accuses U.S. of selective sympathy after Hamas attack on Israel

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- About 200 people gathered for a pro-Palestinian rally Tuesday night outside the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Speakers called U.S. leaders hypocrites, accusing them of displaying outrage over the death of Israeli civilians killed by the terrorist group, Hamas, while ignoring the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.

The demonstration followed the Hamas attacks, which Israeli officials and the White House said had killed more than 1,000 Israelis, including women, children and festival goers.

Chanting 'free Palestine' and 'down, down Israel,' those gathered outside the Islamic Society's south side mosque said too many people decrying the Hamas attack were silent as Palestinians struggled in substandard living conditions in Gaza.

"Where were you when those videos and images were coming out and you stayed silent?" Yasmeen Atta, who said she has relatives in Palestine, said. "You didn't think to yourself, 'oh, let me just say one thing. Let me say free Palestine.'"

Yasmeen Atta is the daughter of Othman Atta, the Islamic Society's executive director. 

After the demonstration, CBS 58 asked Othman Atta whether he believed the tactics taken by Hamas -- targeting civilians -- would only endanger Palestinians. As of Tuesday night, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported 900 civilians had been killed in Israeli retaliatory strikes.

"Look, whatever tactics of people that are subjugated- I will completely disagree with their tactics," Othman Atta said. "But these are subjugated people."

In Washington, both Democrats and Republicans representing Wisconsin condemned the Hamas attack and pledged their support for Israel.

At a public appearance in Waukesha Tuesday morning, Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the U.S. Senate expected to receive an unclassified briefing Tuesday night.

"We are a staunch ally of Israel," Baldwin said. "And I think it is being determined right now what more is needed."

Republican Rep. Bryan Steil, whose district extends from Oak Creek to Janesville, said his support for Israel was "stronger than ever" following the Hamas attack.

"That's why I joined my colleagues in condemning Hamas' horrific attacks and reaffirming Israel has every right to defend itself from radical terrorists," Steil said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

On Monday night, Congregation Shalom in Milwaukee hosted about 1,000 mourners who grieved the deaths of Israeli civilians.

Miryam Rosenzweig, the president and CEO of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, said she would not support the targeting of civilians in Israel's response.

"I would be condemning anyone in the Jewish community if they celebrated the loss of life of civilian life in Gaza," Rosenzweig said. "I would condemn that. Absolutely." 

Othman Atta said he wished Rosenzweig and other U.S. Jewish leaders had previously been more outspoken about the living conditions of Palestinians in Gaza, where movement is limited and only 10% of the population has access to clean drinking water, according to a 2016 report from the World Bank.

"What are you doing in terms of something practical?" Atta said. "Words are cheap, I'm sorry to say. We need something practical."

Those demonstrating outside the Islamic Society also accused the Israel Defense Forces of deliberately targeting civilians by striking buildings like mosques and apartment complexes.

Israeli military leaders have said Hamas intentionally conducts operations out of such places.

When reached Tuesday night, Baldwin's office did not offer details about the Senate briefing the senator had mentioned. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson's office did not respond to questions Tuesday.