More than 150 people gathered at the quad Thursday to participate in the celebration of the Israeli Independence Day.

Members of the Jewish organization Hillel and the Israel Coalition planned the event and had intended to make the day a celebration and to stay away from politics.

Two bands played including Eggroll, an Israeli rock band, and another group named Invisible Arms. Around 30-40 people showed up to support the Palestinian counter-demonstration, which was held as a silent protest where protesters wore white masks holding signs and Palestinian flags.

"We had planned to use a bigger area of the quad instead of just the area in front of the stage," said Dona Standel, 20, a junior majoring in communications and also a member of Hillel. "When we heard that there was going to be a Palestinian presence we decided to limit ourselves to the stage area."

Both groups expected the day to be peaceful and none of them wanted to engage in political dialogue during the two hour long event. The pro-Palestinian group, General Union of Palestinian Students, organized the demonstration and wanted to send out their message, but keep it peaceful.

"We want to keep it low-key and go out with signs and masks," said Ramsey El-Qare, 27, a senior majoring in political science. "We're wearing the masks as a symbol of [the Israelis] denying our existence."

The Jewish organization Hillel, which is not officially affiliated with Israel, advertised the event to most of the pro-Israeli community in San Francisco. The group, together with the Israel Coalition and other participants, wore blue t-shirts with the word peace in English, Arabic and Hebrew, printed in white on the front. Around the stage hung Israeli flags and the area was decorated in Israeli colors.

Most of the people participating in the Palestinian demonstration wore hattas, a shawl with a fence-looking pattern which has become a cultural symbol for Palestinians, and waved Palestinian flags. Though the event was peaceful, the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians boasted strong opinions at the event.

"Most important is human rights for everyone," said Hassan Aburish, 22, a senior majoring in international relations and a participant in the Palestinian demonstration. "[The Israelis'] freedom come to the expense of Palestinian human rights."

Overall, both groups respected each other's presence on the quad during the event. Onlooker Daniel Barreiro, 22, a major in cinema studies, noted the respectful atmosphere. He came out to watch the event as the fire alarm went off inside the Cesar Chavez center and people were asked to leave the building.

"You have to give respect for people to live in peace," he said.

Still, the conflict is currently affecting students, according to GUPS member Brian Gallagher, 25, a double major in political science and history. He said GUPS only has two official members because many pro-Palestinian students are afraid to openly join organization in fear of being identified.

The issue is infected for pro-Israeli students as well.

"I've been a part of political dialogues with pro-Palestinians in the past," said Dona Standel. "But I'm not anymore because it's such a sensitive subject that I become too emotional to do it."