As hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators stood outside, Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday night unequivocally called on Coloradans – and, by extension, Americans – to stand behind Israel, which is at war with Hamas following the latter’s attack that killed 1,200 Israelis.    

“Our greatest strength is our ability to stand together to support the people of Israel in their time of need to be an example of hope and light that others can follow and to stand against hate,” the governor said.

Polis spoke at the Jewish National Fund-USA conference in Denver, which attracted thousands of attendees, and which, on its first night, also drew in hundreds of demonstrators, who banged on the windows and chanted, “Shut it down!” and “Free Palestine!” 

The nonprofit Jewish National Fund contributes heavily to Israel.

Colorado, he said, is “known for standing shoulder to shoulder against hate,” a theme he stuck to in his speech. 

“We must fight all forms of hatred with relentless courage and steadfast determination so that one day our children and their children can make a world without this pain and suffering,” Polis said. 

Polis, who is Colorado’s first Jewish governor, also lauded the work of the Jewish National Fund-USA and its donors.    

“The role of kindhearted donors like yourself across the world can help secure a prosperous and safe Israel,” he said. 

Polis did not mention those outside protesting.

The four-day global Jewish National Fund-USA conference is occurring nearly two months after Hamas crossed into southern Israel and killed 1,200 people, the vast majority of them civilians. Israel retaliated with air strikes and a ground invasion. The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza said more than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began.

Hamas, which the U.S. government lists as a terrorist organization, also kidnapped about 240 people in the Oct. 7 attack that ignited the war. Both Hamas and Israel have, in the last few days, agreed to a cease-fire, allowing for a swap of hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and for aid to flow into Gaza. Israel says it remains committed to ending Hamas’ 16-year rule over Gaza.   

The Jewish National Fund, which began in 1901, donates resources to Israel, notably funding for planting trees and building houses and parks. The group also offers people the opportunity to tour Israel.

Some 2,400 people are expected to attend the group’s annual global conference, which offers networking opportunities, presentations and activities to learn more about Israel. It also features a large Shabbat dinner. Denver last hosted the group’s conference in 2013.

More than 100 activists had showed up to Denver’s city council meeting on Monday, demanding that officials denounce the conference. The protest forced the council, which has no control over such events, to adjourn its meeting.

Denver Police tightened security surrounding the convention center and decided to close off a section of 14th Street between Stout Street and Welton Street from 6 a.m. Thursday until 8 p.m. Sunday. Police and SWAT team members guarded all the doors of the convention center on Thursday night.

Pro-Palestinian activists from the Colorado Palestine Coalition and DSA Denver plan to protest throughout the weekend. The Jewish Voice for Peace also intends to join the protests in calling for a permanent ceasefire.

Outside the convention center, the protesters carried signs, one of which said, “End the siege on Gaza now.” 

In a speech, Jewish National Fund-USA CEO Russell Robinson urged attendees to not give the protesters outside any attention.

Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations who also spoke at the event, called Hamas a “cancer that must be removed.”

“The meaning of a cease-fire allows Hamas to gain control of Gaza,” he said. “We will not stop until we destroy Hamas.”

Jewish National Fund-USA President Sol Lizerbram earlier told The Denver Gazette that “free speech is an important tenet of our American system of values. However, hate has no place in our community,”

“Our conference is about bringing people together who want to build a brighter, more positive future for Israel, the Middle East, and the entire world,” Lizerbram said.