Tensions rise in Las Vegas after pro-Palestine protests, Jewish community speaks on rise in anti-semitism

Sasha Loftis
·2 min read

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Tensions over the Israel-Hamas war took center stage in Las Vegas Wednesday after pro-Palestine demonstrations on the UNLV campus and the local Jewish community spoke about what some referred to as a ‘concerning’ rhetoric.

Tension was building on the UNLV campus this week as a group of pro-Palestine demonstrators made their voices heard.

Demonstrators gather at UNLV over Middle Eastern conflict

“We are here because we are anti-war,” one demonstrator who did not want to share his name said. “We don’t want to see children bombed.”

<em>Tensions over the Israel-Hamas war took center stage in Las Vegas Wednesday after pro-Palestine demonstrations on the UNLV campus and the local Jewish community spoke about what some referred to as a ‘concerning’ rhetoric. (KLAS)</em>
Tensions over the Israel-Hamas war took center stage in Las Vegas Wednesday after pro-Palestine demonstrations on the UNLV campus and the local Jewish community spoke about what some referred to as a ‘concerning’ rhetoric. (KLAS)

Many who identified as students, but didn’t want to show their faces told 8 News Now they were standing with others around the country, demanding the university disclose and stop any potential pro-Israel investments.

“We are not going to tolerate this anymore,” the demonstrator added.

Hours later, city leaders, including Las Vegas City Councilwoman Victoria Seaman and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman met with members of the Jewish community to mark Jewish American Heritage Month.

Many who attended also shared the fear they said they have felt at home since Hamas’ attack on Israel last October.

<em>On Wednesday, city leaders, including Las Vegas City Councilwoman Victoria Seaman and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman met with members of the Jewish community to mark Jewish American Heritage Month. (KLAS)</em>
On Wednesday, city leaders, including Las Vegas City Councilwoman Victoria Seaman and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman met with members of the Jewish community to mark Jewish American Heritage Month. (KLAS)

“I have been living here for 23 years,” Ofra Etzion, Regional Director of the Israeli American Council said. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt as unsafe as I did today on campus.”

Ethan Cohen, President of the Jewish Student Union at his high school, cited what he called historic anti-semitism sparked from protests in Southern Nevada and around the country.

“I’ve seen a lot of antisemitism,” he said. “Like swastikas being spray painted and carved into places and things like that.”

Passionate pleas for change were heard on each side of this fight.

“I think any human with a good heart should be able to stand up,” a pro-Palestenian demonstrator said. “And say enough is enough.”

<em>On Wednesday, city leaders, including Las Vegas City Councilwoman Victoria Seaman and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman met with members of the Jewish community to mark Jewish American Heritage Month. (KLAS)</em>
On Wednesday, city leaders, including Las Vegas City Councilwoman Victoria Seaman and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman met with members of the Jewish community to mark Jewish American Heritage Month. (KLAS)

“We see what is happening now on college campuses,” Etzion said. “Takes us back as a community to what happened in the 1930s and 1940s.”

This, as a simultaneous push for safety continues across Las Vegas.

“We can’t have it happen again to our community,” Etzion concluded.

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