Thousands of Americans, including many New Yorkers, joined together with federal lawmakers like U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for a pro-Israel rally Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

They came to show support for Israel in its war with Hamas, but also to demand the terrorist organization release the hostages.

But as the escalation of conflict between Israel and Hamas stretches into its sixth week, some in the U.S. want to see a ceasefire amid a growing number of civilian deaths in Gaza. One of those people is Jerusalem-born Talal Jabari, a Palestinian journalist and documentarian now living in upstate New York.

Jabari says there’s an Arabic phrase that keeps him going. It translates to “it’s so horrible, you can’t help but laugh.”

He's kept that saying close since growing up near the West Bank, using humor and sarcasm to get through some of it. Life wasn’t easy, but he found beauty in his home.

“You go from the lowest desert, or the lowest part of the world, to beautiful Mediterranean Sea in about an hour's drive," Jabari said.

After studying abroad in the U.S. and U.K., he sought to become a journalist and documentarian, starting a career that would see him work in a variety of roles as a writer or producer.

“Being in that situation, I decided, 'OK, this is what I want to do,'" Jabari said. "I want to tell my people's story.”

In 2014, he moved with his family to upstate New York. He’s still managing director for West Bank talk radio station Alam, but the escalation in conflict between Hamas and Israel has left him mourning for his home.

“Being a Palestinian in the United States can be a lonely prospect, especially in a situation where we are now," he said.

According to the United Nations, since the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, over 1,200 Israelis and more than 12,000 Palestinians have been killed. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling Gaza a “graveyard for children.”

He and U.S. citizens like Jabari are calling for a ceasefire in the war. Jabari says recent rallies for Palestine, including an estimated 300,000 people in Washington D.C., give him some hope.

“And say, 'OK, I'm not alone here,'" he said. "There's a bunch of us here: Muslims, Christians and Jews.”

Guterres says that neither Israel or Hamas have sought a ceasefire. In the U.S., most politicians, including President Joe Biden, have not supported or spoken out in favor of a ceasefire. Some claim it would allow Hamas to attack again.

Jabari said his radio station keeps running and most importantly, is objective about what’s going on there.

“Provide our listeners and our viewers with a deeper perspective and a more objective coverage and better coverage," he said. "Really seeking both sides of any story.”

A congressional resolution has been drawn up by Missouri Rep. Cori Bush that calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. It so far has 17 co-sponsors. Jabari said he hopes his local representative signs on.