Approximately 40 members of Harvard Students for Israel (HSI) demonstrated outside the Science Center yesterday afternoon in support of negotiations to end the ongoing violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

Demonstrators held signs reading "Netanyahu, We Support You in Your Continuation of the Peace Process," "Arafat, Stop Talking the Language of War," and "Yes to Negotiation, No to Violence."

They also passed out a two paragraph statement promoting peaceful negotiations and condemning last week's "violent Palestinian response" to the opening of an ancient tunnel near Muslim and Jewish holy sites.

A total of 76 Israelis and Palestinians died in violence that Miriam B. Goldstein '99, HSI co-chair, called "a nightmare."

The statement said the opening of the tunnel was "ill-timed" and expressed "solidarity with Palestinian police officers who exercised restraint and intervened to end the attacks."

Goldstein compared HSI's demonstration to the one held Wednesday night by the Boston Committee on the Middle East, which was attended by several members of the Harvard-Radcliffe Society of Arab Students (SAS).

Goldstein praised HSI's efforts, noting the rally's recognition of Palestinian police officers who tried to stop the violence and its emphasis on resolution through negotiation.

"I didn't see any support of peace at that rally," she said of Wednesday night's event. "I would've liked to see them come out with some sort of condemnation of violence rather than condemning Israelis."

Ramy M. Tadros '97, president of SAS, said his organization did indeed stress peace at its rally.

"I was carrying a banner which said 'Peace and Justice'" he said. "If anyone is carrying a banner of peace it is certainly condemning violence."

"If someone was serious about peace they would call for the closing of the tunnel," he added, referring to HSI's silence on the tunnel's future.

This Sunday, Tadros will meet with Hillel leaders to plan a brunch to facilitate dialogue between Palestinian and Israeli supporters.

Goldstein mentioned that HSI would be open to the possibility of a joint rally.

Although yesterday's rally voiced strong opinions, observers said it was subdued in nature.

"The fact that I was able to do my Physics lab while they were there was indicative of the fact that they were kind of quiet," said Kathleen N. Conroy '98