March for Israel

{{Broader|Gaza war protests|Antisemitism during the Gaza war}}

The Gaza war has sparked numerous protests, demonstrations, and vigils across the world. The protests have focused on a variety of issues related to the conflict and have been held on varying scales since the October 7 Hamas attacks.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-11 |title=AP PHOTOS: Protests by pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators span the world as war escalates |url=https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-hamas-photos-dbb56b035cad95b38e6036d6ec4f9512 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013215500/https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-hamas-photos-dbb56b035cad95b38e6036d6ec4f9512 |url-status=live }}

According to March for Israel website, the rally had three main objectives. In addition to standing in support of Israel, the other two goals were to raise awareness for and demand the release of the more than 240 hostages still being held by Hamas after over a month since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The rally was also aimed at condemning a rise in antisemitism following the start of the war, during which the New York City Police Department reported a 164 percent increase in New York City, and the Los Angeles Police Department reported a 140 percent increase in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Siemaszko |first=Corky |date=2023-11-01 |title=The Gaza crisis is stoking antisemitism in the U.S. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/gaza-crisis-antisemitism-us-hamas-israel-palestine-rcna123163 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114205410/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/gaza-crisis-antisemitism-us-hamas-israel-palestine-rcna123163 |url-status=live }}

The organizers, Jewish Federations of North America and Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, initially estimated 60,000 people would attend the event, according to the permit they filed to hold the event. However, Tuesday evening, organizers said the total turnout was much higher, estimating that 290,000 people took part.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-15 |title=Nearly 300K attend 'March for Israel' in DC |url=https://www.livenowfox.com/video/1312234 |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=LiveNOW from FOX {{!}} Breaking News, Live Events |language=en-US}} They further reported that 250,000 people joined via live stream.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-14 |title=March For Israel {{!}} Milwaukee Jewish Federation |url=https://www.milwaukeejewish.org/israel-emergency/march-for-israel/#:~:text=An%20estimated%20290%2C000%20people%20attended,Jewish%20gathering%20in%20US%20history. |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=www.milwaukeejewish.org |language=en-US}} That number of attendees would make the March for Israel the largest pro-Israel and the largest Jewish gathering in US history.{{Cite news |last=Magid |first=Jacob |date=November 15, 2023 |title='Let our people go': Nearly 300,000 rally in Washington for Israel, hostages' release |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/let-our-people-go-nearly-300000-rally-in-washington-for-israel-hostages-release/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115141914/https://www.timesofisrael.com/let-our-people-go-nearly-300000-rally-in-washington-for-israel-hostages-release/ |archive-date=November 15, 2023}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-07 |title=March For Israel {{!}} Milwaukee Jewish Federation |url=https://www.milwaukeejewish.org/israel-emergency/march-for-israel/,%20https://www.milwaukeejewish.org/israel-emergency/march-for-israel/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=www.milwaukeejewish.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=At 290,000-strong, 'March for Israel' is 'largest pro-Israel gathering in history' |url=https://cufi.org/issue/at-290000-strong-march-for-israel-is-largest-pro-israel-gathering-in-history/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=Christians United for Israel |language=en-US}}

The Homeland Security Department designated the event as a "level 1" security event, that required substantial law enforcement assistance from federal agencies. While the FBI and Homeland Security had sent out a joint bulletin to law enforcement agencies prior to the march warning about potential violence, the bulletin did indicate that no specific actionable threat had been identified.{{Cite web |last1=Santana |first1=Rebecca |last2=Balsamo |first2=Michael |date=2023-11-14 |title=Tens of thousands of supporters of Israel rally in Washington, crying 'never again' |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-march-washington-830cb77476af80ffde431165ee01533d |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114203042/https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-march-washington-830cb77476af80ffde431165ee01533d |url-status=live }}

File:2023.11.14 March for Israel, Washington, DC USA 318 201259.jpg series by Israeli artists Nitzan Mintz and Dede Bandaid|left]]

Many attendees came by charter buses organized by their Jewish communities. Groups came from New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, Boston, Kansas City,{{Cite web |last1=Ortiz |first1=Erik |last2=Ainsley |first2=Julia |last3=Siemaszko |first3=Corky |date=2023-11-14 |title=Throngs gather for March for Israel rally at D.C.'s National Mall to condemn antisemitism |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/march-israel-rally-condemn-rising-antisemitism-dcs-national-mall-rcna124506 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114113750/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/march-israel-rally-condemn-rising-antisemitism-dcs-national-mall-rcna124506 |url-status=live }} Philadelphia, Birmingham, Alabama and other domestic and international locations. Attendees who flew in from Detroit, including Michigan state senator Jeremy Moss, were unable to attend when bus drivers scheduled to take them from Dulles International Airport staged a walk-off.{{Cite web |last1=Mackay |first1=Hannah |last2=Muñoz |first2=Marnie |last3=Aimery |first3=Jakkar |date=2023-11-14 |title=Hundreds of Metro Detroit Jews stranded at D.C. airport by 'malicious' bus drivers |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/11/14/hundreds-of-metro-detroit-jews-stranded-at-d-c-airport-by-absent-bus-drivers/71582002007/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115001933/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/11/14/hundreds-of-metro-detroit-jews-stranded-at-d-c-airport-by-absent-bus-drivers/71582002007/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-15 |title='Deliberate and malicious': Charter buses allegedly refused to drive pro-Israel demonstrators to rally |url=https://news.yahoo.com/deliberate-malicious-charter-buses-allegedly-004410976.html |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}

Speakers at the rally included Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries,{{cite news |last1=Axelrod |first1=Tal |date=November 14, 2023 |title=Thousands gather in Washington to demonstrate in support of Israel |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/thousands-gather-washington-demonstrate-support-israel/story?id=104877417 |access-date=November 14, 2023 |publisher=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114194312/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/thousands-gather-washington-demonstrate-support-israel/story?id=104877417 |url-status=live }} senator Joni Ernst, Montana Tucker,{{cite news |url=https://www.jns.org/montana-tucker-its-us-against-the-world-and-we-will-prevail/|title=Montana Tucker: ‘It’s us against the world, and we will prevail’|publisher=JNS|access-date=4 December 2024}} televangelist John Hagee,{{Cite web |last1=Carnell |first1=Henry |last2=Van Pykeren |first2=Sam |date=2023-11-14 |title=Here's what we know about DC's March for Israel rally |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/11/john-hagee-hitler-israel-rally-christian-zionist/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=Mother Jones |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115010856/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/11/john-hagee-hitler-israel-rally-christian-zionist/ |url-status=live}} Israeli president Isaac Herzog (via video from Jerusalem), and U.S. envoy on antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt.{{cite news |last1=Magid |first1=Jacob |title=Biden envoy at pro-Israel rally: Those chanting 'glory to the martyrs' are inciting hatred |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/biden-envoy-at-pro-israel-rally-those-chanting-glory-to-the-martyrs-are-inciting-hatred/ |access-date=November 14, 2023 |work=Times of Israel |date=November 14, 2013}} Other notable speakers included Natan Sharansky{{Cite web |last=Smilk |first=Carin M. |date=2023-11-14 |title=Natan Sharansky: 'We'll defeat our enemies today' |url=https://www.jns.org/natan-sharansky-well-defeat-our-enemies-today/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=JNS.org |language=en-US}} actress Debra Messing,{{cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Zvika |title='March for Israel' rally to feature Debra Messing, Van Jones |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-773072 |access-date=November 14, 2023 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=November 13, 2023 |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113222223/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-773072 |url-status=live }} actor and comedian Michael Rapaport,{{cite web |last1=Borschel-Dan |first1=Amanda |title=College student tells DC pro-Israel rally: ‘Our Stars of David will shine on our chests’ |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/college-student-tells-dc-pro-israel-rally-our-stars-of-david-will-shine-on-our-chests/ |website=timesofisrael.com |access-date=18 February 2024 |language=en-US |date=14 November 2023}} and family members of hostages kidnapped by Hamas.{{Cite web |last1=Yan |first1=Holly |last2=Cohen |first2=Gabe |last3=Grise |first3=Katherine |date=2023-11-14 |title=Families of hostages kidnapped by Hamas give heart-wrenching details at the packed 'March for Israel' in DC |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/14/us/march-for-israel-washington-security/index.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114172647/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/14/us/march-for-israel-washington-security/index.html |url-status=live }} Organizers told The New York Times that the diverse speaker roster was intended to reach "across divisions" and be bipartisan, reflecting broad support by the United States Congress.{{Cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Campbell |last2=Wines |first2=Michael |last3=Montague |first3=Zach |date=Nov 14, 2023 |title=Jewish Groups Rally for Israel on National Mall |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/14/us/march-for-israel-washington-dc-rally.html |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114101227/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/14/us/march-for-israel-washington-dc-rally.html |url-status=live }} Several musicians also performed at the event, including Ishay Ribo, Omer Adam, Matisyahu, and the acapella group The Maccabeats. The Maccabeats performed Acheinu, the Jewish prayer calling for the release of captives,{{cite news |title=Acheinu – A Modern Classic |url=https://www.jewishpress.com/sections/features/acheinu-a-modern-classic/2023/11/30/ |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=The Jewish Press |date=2023-11-30}} and the group joined Matisyahu for a rendition of Matisyahu's hit song "One Day."{{Citation |title=Matisyahu Matisyahu singing One Day at Washington DC peace March for isreal |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9OO7UwSKcw |access-date=2023-11-16 |language=en}}

According to Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America, President Joe Biden was unable to speak at the rally as he was traveling to San Francisco that day for the 2023 APEC Summit.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-28 |title=The Opportunity and Difficulty of Unity: On the Israel March |url=https://18forty.org/podcast/the-opportunity-and-difficulty-of-unity-on-the-israel-march/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=18Forty |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-13 |title=Biden in San Francisco for APEC: Timeline of president's visit |url=https://www.kron4.com/news/apec-sf-2023/biden-in-san-francisco-for-apec-timeline-of-presidents-visit/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=KRON4 |language=en-US}}

Political analyst Van Jones called for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.{{cite news |title=Pro-Israel Rally Chants 'No Ceasefire' Over Call for 'No More Bombs' in Gaza |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/pro-israel-rally-chants-no-ceasefire-over-van-jones-call-for-no-more-bombs-in-gaza |work=The Daily Beast |date=November 14, 2023}}

John Hagee's presence at the demonstration was criticized by progressive Jewish organizations such the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, J Street, and IfNotNow, and by the Council on American–Islamic Relations.{{cite web |last1=Ortiz |first1=Erik |title=Divisive megachurch pastor draws criticism for role at March for Israel |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/divisive-pastor-john-hagee-criticism-role-march-israel-rcna125346 |website=NBC News |access-date=19 November 2023 |date=16 November 2023}}{{cite web |date=14 November 2023 |title=Progressive US Jewish group denounces pro-Israel rally in Washington, DC |url=https://aje.io/u0xc67?update=2486790 |access-date=15 November 2023 |website=Al Jazeera}} The leader of one such Jewish organization said he was blindsided by the apparent last minute decision to include Hagee, claiming his inclusion had been shot down before the march as organizers wanted to ensure a big-tent protest.{{Cite web |last=Summers |first=Charlie |date=17 November 2023 |title=Liberal Jewish groups lament DC rally's rightward bent, say progressives pushed away |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liberal-jewish-groups-lament-dc-rallys-rightward-bent-say-progressives-pushed-away/ |access-date=20 November 2023 |website=The Times of Israel}}

Hagee has a history of making controversial remarks; writing in MSNBC, Emily Tamkin highlighted how Hagee had previously stated that Adolf Hitler was sent by God to carry out the Holocaust to "help Jews reach the promised land".{{cite web |last1=Tamkin |first1=Emily |title=Why televangelist John Hagee was a shocking March for Israel speaker |url=https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/john-hagee-march-for-israel-antisemitism-rcna125291 |website=MNSBC |access-date=18 November 2023 |date=15 November 2023}} The Council on American-Islamic Relations said that Hagee had a history of "Islamophobia and antisemitism" and should not have been invited to speak, arguing it was hypocritical to invite Hagee while criticising pro-Palestinian marches of being antisemitic. Congresswoman Summer Lee wrote: "I'm deeply concerned that members of both parties shared a stage yesterday with noted antisemitic bigot John Hagee. This must be condemned."{{cite web |last1=Riley |first1=John |date=15 November 2023 |title=Anti-Gay Pastor John Hagee Speaks at Pro-Israel Rally in D.C. The Right-wing pastor has a history of making bigoted, anti-LGBTQ comments, as well as attacking Muslims and Catholic |url=https://www.metroweekly.com/2023/11/anti-gay-pastor-john-hagee-speaks-at-pro-israel-rally-in-d-c/ |website=Metro Weekly |access-date=16 November 2023}}

In defense of Hagee's attendance at the rally, one of the organizers stated: "The comments that people object to from Pastor Hagee are older, and he has disavowed these comments, and they have not recurred," and "I think we all believe that people can grow and learn and evolve."

• National March on Washington: Free Palestine
• List of rallies and protest marches in Washington, D.C.

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