TAMPA, Fla. — Hundreds of Palestinian Americans and supporters marched the streets of downtown Tampa, decrying what they say is “the untold suffering of Palestinians.”

Organizers spoke out against local and state leaders, saying they have shown unbalanced support for Israel. They feel the plight of Palestinians along the Gaza Strip is being ignored.

“I’m talking about Palestinians. I’m talking about people,” said Imam Abdullah Jabar, Chief Executive Director of CAIR Florida. “Do they not have the right to self dignity? Do they have to be Christian? Do they have to be Muslim? Do they have to be Jews? Is it not enough that they are human beings who have been under siege?”

Tampa resident Ihab Taha said he feels like the pain and loss his fellow Palestinians have been going through is being forgotten in the fight between Hamas and Israel. That’s why he said he’s joined the demonstration.

“I don’t believe there should be violence against civilians,” he said. “And I would hope that people can see what’s happening in Gaza right now, with over 1,500 Palestinians that have been killed.”

Earlier this week, when Lakeland’s Jewish community and supporters rallied at Temple Emanuel, organizers there said the death toll cuts across many countries.

“Not all those who were killed are Jewish,” Said Rabbi David Goldstein. “Not all those who were killed are actually Israeli. We know that there were several foreign nationals.”

But as Ihab followed Friday night’s demonstration into the streets, he hopes their cries for justice will open eyes and minds.

“I think everybody needs to educate themselves. Read books on both sides of the story. Try to understand what happened. Try to understand the history behind things. It’s not a single event. It’s something that’s happened for decades,” he said.