Organized by the Jewish Federations of North America, rally will demand unconditional return of hostages held by Hamas terrorists, renewed efforts to combat antisemitism
WASHINGTON (JTA) — National Jewish organizations are calling on Jews from throughout the United States to travel to Washington, DC, on November 14 for a mass pro-Israel rally they hope will rival major Jewish demonstrations in 2002 and 1987 in size and impact.
The March for Israel has three goals, according to Eric Fingerhut, CEO of Jewish Federations of North America, which is organizing the rally jointly with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
Participants will be demanding the return of the estimated 240 hostages Hamas terrorists abducted during its October 7 onslaught on Israel, Fingerhut said. They will also be calling for efforts to combat antisemitism, which has spiked worldwide since the attack. And they will be demonstrating their support for the unabashed backing Israel has so far received from both parties in Congress and the Biden administration.
“All three elements are important to all of our communities,” Fingerhut said. “We’re proud of what our government has done” to support Israel, “but we want them to know how much support there is not only for what they’ve done, but also for the continued efforts that are going to be needed as this long conflict continues.”
Some 3,000 terrorists burst through the Gaza border and killed 1,400 people in southern Israel on October 7, the vast majority of them civilians, many massacred amid vicious atrocities.
Israel declared war on Hamas, and is seeking to destroy its military and governance capacities. The Islamist terror group, which controls Gaza, claims that over 10,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks, but the figures cannot be independently confirmed, and are believed to include its own terrorists and gunmen and the victims of Gaza terror groups’ rocket misfires. Israel says it is hitting terror infrastructure and striving to avoid civilian casualties and accuses Hamas of using the civilian population as human shields.
The rally was formally announced on Monday. But efforts to fill buses and planes were already breaking into public view over the weekend.
“All classes for Yeshiva University undergraduate schools and high schools for Tuesday November 14 are canceled,” Rabbi Ari Berman posted on social media on Sunday. “We are going to Washington to stand with Israel.”
By Ron Kampeas
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