Tens of thousands of supporters of Israel rallied in Washington, crying ‘never again’
After "the largest massacre since the Holocaust," he said, "let us call out together, never again."
Thousands of Israel supporters rallied on Washington’s National Mall, showing solidarity against Hamas and saying “never again.”
Thousands rallied in Washington, showing support for Israel and condemning Hamas.
The “March for Israel” provided a bipartisan endorsement for Israel during heightened criticism of their offensive in Gaza.
Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Mike Johnson, and Joni Ernst stood together on stage with flags. They joined hands as Schumer chanted, “We stand with Israel.”
Yet underneath that projection of unity, it sharply divided Democrats over Israel’s course and its treatment of Palestinians. President Biden is urging Israel to show restraint in their tactics to lessen civilian suffering in Gaza.
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A succession of speakers took the stage to vehemently denounce the Hamas attack and what they said was a rampant spread of antisemitism across the globe, “an embarrassment to all civilized people and nations,” in the words of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who addressed the crowd by video from the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
After “the largest massacre since the Holocaust,” he said, “let us call out together, never again.”
“No one will break us,” he vowed. “We will rise again. … There is no greater and just cause than this.”
Ernst made a statement that Hamas’ brutality cannot be overstated. She claimed that they kill infants. They commit acts of rape against women. They abuse older people. How anyone in America could sympathize with these terrorists is unfathomable.”
Hamas militants stormed into Israel from Gaza in the surprise incursion on October 7, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages. Israel has responded with weeks of attacks in Gaza, which have killed over 11,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
Rachel Goldberg, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was taken hostage while attending a music festival attacked by Hamas, said the days since the attack have been “slow motion torment.”
“These children of God range in age from 9 months to 87 years,” Goldberg said of the hostages taken to Gaza. “They are Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindus. Why are they being left underground in the dirt?”
The Homeland Security Department designated the march a “level 1” security event, the highest classification in its system and one usually used for the Super Bowl and other major events, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press. The designation means the event required substantial law enforcement assistance from federal agencies, the officials said.
The FBI and Homeland Security sent a warning to law enforcement officials in Washington about potential violence or attacks linked to the Israel-Hamas war. But the bulletin said clearly that federal officials hadn’t identified any “specific, actionable threat” to the march.
The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss the details of the law enforcement bulletin and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Many demonstrators wore Israeli flags wrapped around their shoulders, flowing behind them, or held small Israeli flags in their hands. They carried placards with names and photos of the people who had been taken hostage in Gaza, often holding them up as the crowd shouted, “Bring them home!” Security was tight, with dump trucks blocking access to the mall and police dispersed throughout the area and on horseback.
“I hope that it shows solidarity” with Israel, said Jackie Seley of Rockville, Maryland, who came with friends from New York. “And I hope that it raises awareness for the hostages that are currently in danger.”
Melanie Lubin of Olney, Maryland, wore a flag half made up with the Stars and Stripes and half with Israel’s blue and white Star of David. Asked about the death toll in Gaza and criticism of the way Israel has conducted its military campaign, she said: “I think everyone is concerned about what is happening in Gaza and to civilians in Israel. Israel is doing its best. This is a war. Israel did not start this war.”
A video was shown at the rally, highlighting the issue of antisemitism on college campuses through the voices of Jewish students.
Despite her peers’ helplessness, Noa Fay, a Columbia University student, refused to stay silent about campus antisemitism.
“I will continue to shout,” she said. “We should not have to do this. But we can do this; we must do this.”
