About 500 people waving flags and signs crowded onto Burlington’s Church Street on Sunday afternoon to show solidarity with the people of Israel in the wake of a terror attack — and the nation’s subsequent declaration of war on Hamas. The day before, another flag-waving crowd — smaller, but still substantial — gathered around the corner in City Hall Park in support of Palestinians, who are under siege in the Gaza Strip as Israel fights to eradicate Hamas from the territory. The dual rallies came about a week after Hamas militants killed some 1,400 civilians and soldiers and abducted others in a surprise attack, leading the Israeli military to retaliate. The ongoing conflict has left more than 4,000 people dead, and there’s no end in sight. Israel has bombed Gaza, but a ground offensive is reportedly imminent, raising fears of more civilian casualties. A coalition of local Jewish leaders organized Sunday’s event, which included prominent speakers such as Gov. Phil Scott, Mayor Miro Weinberger and City Council President Karen Paul (D-Ward 6). Representatives also spoke on behalf of Vermont’s three members of Congress — U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.). Speakers mourned the dead and emphasized that Israel should not be blamed for Hamas’ attack. The Islamist organization, which controls Gaza and is considered a terrorist group by the U.S., advocates for the elimination of the Jewish state and has said the attack was in retaliation for a long-running Israeli blockade on Gaza. “This massacre of Jews is the worst since the Holocaust, and we will not be silent,” said Rabbi David Edleson of Temple Sinai in South Burlington. “Murder is not liberation. Rape is not social justice.” In a sea of Israeli and American flags, participants held signs reading “Never again means now,” “Hating Jews is not progressive,” and “Hitler also blamed Jews for their murder.” Some held pictures of those Hamas has taken hostage. Attendee Naomi Barell brought a poster with the words “This Is Personal” written atop photos of her 23-year-old son Zaq, one of the roughly 360,000 Israeli Defense Force reservists who have been called up to service. “It’s very scary, and yet, I’m so very proud of him for doing this,” Barrell said. “[Never] in my lifetime have I experienced this fear for the existence of a state of Israel.” Many speakers made a distinction…