NEW ORLEANS — As the Biden Administration pushes for Israel to take a diplomatic response, rather than a military one, following Iran's drone and missile attacks, New Orleans Jewish and Arab communities are growing more concerned.
CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, Robert French, said he has several family members that live in Israel.
“It’s just so shocking. In fact, this morning, I was talking to a member of the community, saying it doesn’t seem real. I mean everything since October 7th does not seem real. To see that flying over Tel Aviv and over Jerusalem and all over Israel is just mind-blowing," French said.
French said he watched Iran launch hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel on Sunday in real-time. The attack was a response to Israel's airstrike on Iran's consulate earlier this month.
“There’s a deep sense of shock, worry and concern," French said.
After this weekend's escalation, French was grateful to see the solidarity from the US.
“To see the US and its allies stand side by side with Israel send messages," French said.
But the New Orleans chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace is calling for a regional ceasefire and an end to US aid for Israel. The group believes Israel has brought the escalation on itself after killing thousands of Palestinians since Hamas' October 7th attack on Israel and attacking Iran earlier this month.
“I was raised with the phrase ‘never again’ which was in response to the Nazi Holocaust against the Jews, and what we’ve seen taking place for the last six months is a genocide on a scale that I’ve not witnessed in my lifetime," Jewish Voice for Peace Member Rachel Lee said, "And all of us need to be paying attention."
President Joe Biden has said the US will continue to provide defensive support to Israel, but he raised concerns about escalating tension in the Middle East. Israel continues to launch air strikes ahead of what is expected to be a ground invasion.
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