The Palestinian and Israeli conflict was brought to State College's attention yesterday afternoon during a protest by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine in conjunction with the Black Caucus at the Allen Street Gates.

The protest, which was planned about a week and a half ago, was aimed at informing the Penn State community about the ongoing conflict in Israel.

Organizers created mock Israeli checkpoints at the gates. The protesters, dressed as Israeli soldiers, wanted to re-create the experience they say Palestinians live through on a daily basis.

"We tell them that if you were a Palestinian and this was a real Israeli checkpoint, you would not have been allowed to pass without being harassed, searched and humiliated, even if you were hurt," said Ramy Nasr (junior-premedicine), protest organizer. "We want to make it as realistic as possible."

Pro-Israel students also came to the Allen Street Gates, but to support a different cause.

"Basically we just wanted to show there is a pro-Israel presence on the campus," said Nomi Deutch (freshman-political science), co-chair of the Israel Action Committee.

Nasr said the Coalition for Justice in Palestine's protest was a part of a weeklong series of events.

"We want to encourage everyone to divest from supporting Israel in any way, or any other illegal occupation regime," Nasr said.

Aside from running the checkpoint, protesters were waving Palestinian flags, holding signs and shouting chants such as "two, four, six, eight, Palestine an Arab state," and "three, five, seven, nine, long live Palestine."

Tuvia Abramson, the executive director of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, said the Israeli supporters were not there to fight.

"The Jewish community is standing behind Israel," he said.

He said he wanted to point out the difference between the Israeli checkpoints and the suicide bombers to the Palestinian supporters.

"If you dress like a soldier, I can identify you," he said. "If you dress like a terrorist, I cannot."

The Palestinian supporters said they were not angered by the Israeli supporters' presence.

"We don't mind them being here," Nasr said. "But we don't understand why they are here pro-Israel."

The Coalition for Justice in Palestine also is sponsoring a rally at 2:30 today on Old Main lawn. Nationally, the pro-Palestinian movement is planning a march this weekend in Washington, D.C.