(The Center Square) – Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said that the Phoenix Police Department is increasing security at synagogues now that Israel is at war with Hamas.
“I’m proud to stand with Israel and condemn Hamas’s attacks on innocent people in the strongest terms,” the mayor posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday.
“Here in Phoenix, our police are stepping up patrols near synagogues—and our hearts are with our many friends throughout Israel,” she added.
On the state level, Gov. Katie Hobbs told The Center Square on Monday morning that she supports the decision by the city of Phoenix.
“I think that’s absolutely appropriate. The state of Arizona stands with Israel and will continue to do that,” she said.
Maricopa County has a sizable Jewish community, with an estimated 98,750 Jewish people living in the area as of 2019, according to an Arizona State University survey from 2019. That’s roughly 2.36% of the population at the time.
Demonstrations in support of Israel, as well as ones in support of Palestine, are taking place throughout the country following the attack by the terrorist group Hamas over the weekend. On Sunday, a group of pro-Palestine protesters demonstrated at Tempe Beach Park. An advertisement for the event said it would allow attendees to “learn about the Palestinian liberation struggle against the U.S. and Israeli war machine.”
Other elected officials in Arizona, such as state Rep. Alma Hernandez, D-Tucson, shared statements in support of Israel.
“While I don’t post during Shabbat I must break that today. Israel is at war and my heart is breaking for what is happening and unfolding there,” she posted Saturday. “Innocent Israelis murdered, walking on the streets, elderly being murdered while waiting at bus stops, women & children being kidnapped, raped and murdered on video. All while Palestinian terrorists are celebrating on the streets. I can’t believe this is happening today. My heart is shattered.”
