Various Jewish groups gathered in Washington D.C., on Tuesday in what was called the "March for Israel" to show solidarity with the Middle Eastern nation and call out against antisemitism.
The large crowd that attended the march also demanded the Hamas militant group to free Israeli hostages that were taken in by the group. Through a live video feed, Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the people at the march.
March for Israel
Despite the thousands of miles that separated them, Herzog said that they are still united "to march for the babies, the boys and girls, women and men viciously held hostage by Hamas. He added that they are marching for the right of every single Jew to be able to live proudly and safely in the United States, in Israel, and across the world.
The March for Israel event is believed to be the largest pro-Israel gathering in the U.S. following Oct. 7, when Hamas attacked the Middle Eastern country. The initial assault killed thousands of people, including civilians and soldiers, as per CNN.
A student at the University of Maryland, Sara Blau, said that she went to high school with Israeli soldier Omer Neutra, who was among the people who were being held captive by Hamas. She said that they were good friends. Blau attended the March for Israel wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with Neutra's photograph.
The student added that wanted to join the movement so that she could show her support for Israel, adding that she is a proud Zionist, a proud Jew, and wanted to be there to support her community.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) considered the march a "Level 1" security event. This is the highest level possible when considering national importance, potential threats, and the resources needed to ensure public safety.
The latest march comes after several large protests across the country and in capital cities worldwide that denounced Israel's military assault in Gaza. The region has been plunged into what many call a humanitarian crisis, according to the New York Times.
Denouncing Antisemitism
The March for Israel was intended by organizers in part to become a response to critics of Israel amid its war with the Hamas militant group. Herzog noted that there was no greater and more just cause than the event.
The president and chief executive of the Jewish Federations of North America, Eric Fingerhut, said that despite polls showing Americans overwhelmingly support Israel, there was an increasing voice from the opposition who are on the fringe.
Among the people who joined the march was 71-year-old Tamara WIlkof who came from Cleveland. She said that she believes people had been galvanized by the surge in antisemitism since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.
Fingerhut released a statement saying that Hamas brutally murdered thousands of Jewish people in one day during its Brutal initial assault. It was considered to be the deadliest attack on the Middle Eastern nation in the last 75 years.
He added that Israel must eliminate the terrorist threat on its border and restore the safety and security of its people. Fingerhut said that Americans have slightly stood by Israel during this critical moment because people understand that the nation's fight against Hamas is no different than their fight against Al Qaeda and ISIS, said Fox News.
