NYC: Thousands Rally Against Gaza War

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters jammed Times Square this weekend to decry the Israeli/Hamas conflict.

Chanting "Free Palestine," thousands of Palestinian supporters demonstrated in Times Square Saturday to protest Israel's punishing military offensive in Gaza. The wave of protesters stretched across three blocks, dwarfing the dozens of boisterous supporters of Israel assembled across Seventh Ave. "What's happening in Gaza is something that shouldn't be tolerated anywhere in the world," said Bassal Omar, 29, an American-born Palestinian from the Bronx. "It's a humanitarian crisis, and it's just going to get worse." Cathie Bell held a sign reading "Palestinians are freedom fighters" as she rallied on 42nd St. "I'm here in solidarity with the people who are being murdered in Palestine," Bell, 59, of Chelsea, said. "I think it's a horrendous, horrific assault over there, and something should be done."

Today French president Sarkozy and a group of foreign mediators headed to Israel to attempt to broker a ceasefire.