Thousands of people are expected to gather in the US capital on Tuesday afternoon (November 14) to express their support for Israel and condemn antisemitism.
Organizers of the "March for Israel" said that as many as 100,000 people are anticipated to attend the event, which would take place at the National Mall in Washington.
Fox News reported that a coalition of Jewish organizations have planned the march to show continued solidarity with the people of Israel, which has since been in a state of war against Hamas after its October 7 attack.
Around 1,400 Israeli and other civilians were killed by Hamas and around 238 people were taken hostage. Since then, thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed in the crossfire in Israeli airstrikes as a consequence of Hamas placing military targets next to or below civilian infrastructure.
A man carries two Israeli flags during a pro-Israel rally outside of the Israeli Embassy on October 8, 2023, in Washington, DC. The Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza by land, sea, and air, killing hundreds of people and wounding thousands more. Israeli soldiers and civilians have also been kidnapped by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to published reports. The attack prompted a declaration of war by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and ongoing retaliatory strikes by Israel on Gaza killing hundreds.
US Jews for Israel
Jewish Federations of North America president and CEO Eric Fingerhut said that the march would show the world that Americans support Israel, reject antisemitism, and demand the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
"On October 7th, merciless Hamas terrorists launched the deadliest attack on Israel in its 75-year history, brutally murdering the most Jewish people in a single day since the Holocaust," Fingerhut said in a statement.
"Israel must eliminate the terrorist threat on its border and restore safety and security to its people. Americans have rightly stood by Israel at this critical moment because Americans understand that Israel's fight against Hamas is no different than America's fight against Al Qaeda and ISIS."
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations CEO William Daroff added that the protest was a call for the US to send "a resounding message of support" to Israel as an ally, as well as to "stand in solidarity with the victims, hostages, and their families," reject anti-Israel and anti-Jewish rhetoric and sentiment, and unite around "shared values of peace, justice, and freedom."
Beefing Security Up
Security for the event and safety for its participants has been prioritized after a string of antisemitic incidents involving the injury or death of Jewish people joining pro-Israel demonstrations.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said on Monday (November 13) that DC authorities are working to ensure the safety and security of the event and that no credible threats against the march have been detected.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has also deployed the National Guard to assist police in ensuring the safety of the participants.
"It's imperative that America sends a resounding message of support to our ally that we stand in solidarity with the victims, hostages, and their families, that we reject extreme anti-Israel rhetoric and sentiment, and that we are united around shared values of peace, justice, and freedom," MPD spokesperson Paris Lewbel said.
The event was organized after thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrations came to Washington on November 4 for a similar demonstration.
The Palestinian Youth Movement's local chapter warned its members "to not fall into the trap set by Zionists" and to not engage with pro-Israel supporters."
Several officials from the Department of Homeland Security have told NBC News on the condition of anonymity that the event's security level was raised to its highest designation
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