Protestors clash on Mid-East policy in Loop

August 9, 2009 (CHICAGO) Shalom International supporters say President Obama cannot be trusted. They say he is dangerous and showing weakness. The group also says efforts are under way to divide Jerusalem. Their position is that the city belongs to every Jew, and there is nothing to negotiate.

Nearby, however, members of the Arab-Jewish partnership and Jewish voice for peace held a rally. They want a change in U.S. policy in the region and say they support efforts to create a Palestinian state.

"We're very, very concerned about people who are trying to demonize the Obama administration's efforts. There's hate language being used. We can't have more war," Kalman Resnick said.

"We need to get out of this deceitful administration and everyone in it that's betraying our homeland, Israel, and who's appeasing the Hitlers of Iran," said Igor Kravchenko.

In the Middle East, the Palestinian Fatah movement held its first conference in 20 years. The Israeli defense minister said Sunday he was uneasy about what he called "rhetoric" coming from the conference. But Ehud Barak said a commitment to peace was the only way forward in the Middle East.