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The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza is deeply affecting both the Islamic and Jewish communities in North Alabama, some of whom have deep personal and cultural ties to the region. 

Â鶹Çø reached out to leaders from both groups to hear their perspectives on the situation. While representatives from several Islamic centers and mosques in Huntsville, Madison, and Decatur were unavailable for comment, one prominent figure from the Jewish community shared his thoughts on the conflict and the hope for peace.

Max Rosenthal, a member of the board of directors at the Huntsville Conservative Synagogue, expressed the tension that many in his community feel.

"Many of our people in our congregation have relatives there, and we have been on edge even before October of last year. It’s always a very difficult thing,� Rosenthal said.

Oct. 7 will mark one year since the conflict escalated between Israel and Hamas. With ongoing violence, including missile attacks on Israel reportedly from Iran, tensions remain high. Citizens in the region have been ordered to stay close to bomb shelters. Rosenthal, like many others, watches the events unfold on television, hoping for an end to the violence.

“I guess in a perfect world, it’s all the people living in peace,� he said. “The good Lord will step in and really do something—change people’s minds, change their attitudes. I’m hoping that can happen.�

Â鶹Çø has reached out to representatives from the local Islamic community and is awaiting their response. Once we hear back, we will share their perspectives on the conflict as well.