Palestine supporters gather outside State Capitol Tree Lighting in Raleigh

A group of Palestine supporters gathered Thursday evening outside the State Capitol in Raleigh during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

The group could be heard chanting and several were waving flags and holding candles. Some in the group of at least 50 people held signs in support of their cause.

The lighting appeared to go on without interruption with Gov. Roy Cooper and wife Kristin Cooper in attendance. Some in the group booed Cooper upon his arrival.

"If we’re not going to talk about this during Christmas," Rania Masri, Demonstrator. "When should we talk about it? and pretend it’s okay?"

Rania Masri joined dozens calling for a ceasefire from Cooper and congressional representatives.

"Would Jesus turn a blind eye to his people and just like ‘let’s go shopping and decorate the tree?" Masri said.

Thy govenor and other speakers made no reference to the demonstrations.

Some who attended the event were annoyed but most were quiet and acknowledged demonstrators using their first amendment rights.

"It didn’t bother me at all because of the first amendment and they were not bothering anyone," Christa Jackson, attended tree lighting ceremony said. "They have the right to be here for their cause and we want peace everywhere."

A truck with a #CeaseFireNow banner was seen driving the streets surrounding the Capitol.

Despite the tense atmosphere, no violence or arrests took place.