Middle East Conflict Prompts Peace Coalition To Demonstrate

The war in Iraq has given the Nature Coast Coalition for Peace and Justice plenty to protest in the last five years.

Now the latest conflict between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza has prompted the group to act.

Members will set up at one of their favorite spots this Wednesday to protest what coalition president Brian Moore called Israel's "disproportionate response to a minimal threat."

They will stand at the intersection of U.S. 19 and State Road 50, near Weeki Wachee Springs, at noon. The public is invited, Moore said.

"We have a conscience, and there are innocent civilians dying," Moore said. "You have to speak out."

Israeli officials say the air attacks and subsequent ground incursion is necessary to stop Hamas militants from firing rockets into Israel.

Gaza health officials reported 537 Palestinian dead and nearly 2,000 wounded since Israel embarked upon the campaign on Dec. 27, according to the Associated Press. At least 200 civilians were among the dead. Five Israelis had been killed in the offensive.

Diplomats converged on Israel Monday to try to broker a cease-fire. Wednesday's demonstration half a world away is meant to show support for that effort and the need for the United States government to play a big role, Moore said.

"It's just a small voice making a public statement to put pressure on our government and on Israel to stop the killing and settle this matter," Moore said.

Many have disputed the notion that Israel is reacting too strongly to the Palestinian missile attacks, including New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"There is no such thing as a moderate response to terrorism," Bloomberg said during a news conference on New Year's Eve, according to The New York Times. "Proportionalism is for theoreticians. The real world is that government has a responsibility to protect their citizens with everything they can."

The peace coalition will continue to protest the Iraq War and the plan to move 20,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan, Moore said.