ROCHESTER, N.Y. — People gathered to rally with the University of Rochester’s Students for Justice in Palestine on Monday.

“Personally, I’ve been just a mess; my family is Palestinian. This really hit home for me, so I wanted a safe space for students to come and talk about what’s been going on,” said one student who did not wish to give her name.

Those participating in the rally feel that the university needs to do better in its active support of Palestine and Palestinian students.

“The administration reacted very negatively, made us feel as if we were doing something violent, something threatening to other students, like as if our space was not welcome," the student said.

The university released a statement addressing the matter which said in part:

“The University of Rochester remains committed to working with members of our University of Rochester community to peacefully protest and freely express strongly held convictions.”

It was something students rallying in support of Palestine did not agree with.

“They’re basically trying to tell us that we should not be talking about this,” said the student participating in the rally.

Some Jewish and Israeli students also think the university needs to take a bigger stance.

“I think everybody should be able to share their opinion, but I also think there’s a right way and a wrong way to do so,” said Gilad Katz, an Israeli student at the University of Rochester.

“This is the way I have to enter to get to my dorm and I’m bombarded with these horrible messages,” Katz said. “It’s a feeling of [discomfort] and unsafety, and I don’t think it helps that the administration hasn’t taken a strong stance.”

Students on both sides say it's leaving them with difficulties in coping.

“No matter what you believe politically, no matter where you're from, these people are innocent people dying,” said the Palestinian student.