Arrr, me hearties! Pro-Israel mateys be sayin' they've been spyin' antisemitism since Oct. 7. They be feelin' mighty unsafe, aye!
2023-11-18
Avast, me hearties! Tearing down the wanted signs, mutinies in the office, and vile messages o'er the web be but a few mishaps that our loyal mates, supportin' the land o' Israel, hath encountered in these treacherous times. Blimey, antisemitism be lurkin' at every corner!
Pro-Israel advocates from across the U.S. gathered in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate against antisemitism during the Israel-Hamas war. One attendee named Nick expressed feeling unsafe as a Jewish person for the first time in his life. Despite their nervousness, Nick and his father decided to attend the event and stand up for their beliefs. The demonstrators dressed in American and Israeli flags as they congregated at the National Mall for the March for Israel. They showed support for hostages taken in the conflict and condemned antisemitism. The Jewish Federations of North America, the nonprofit organizer of the rally, stated that it was the largest pro-Israel gathering in U.S. history.According to a recent survey by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), there were over 830 documented antisemitic incidents across the U.S. during a one-month period. Steve from Pennsylvania shared that antisemitism always arises during conflicts, and he believes that anti-Israel sentiment is synonymous with antisemitism. Another demonstrator named Ramy expressed frustration with pro-Palestinian protests in Philadelphia and emphasized the need for people to understand the long history of Jewish oppression and the need to fight back.
Presenters at the rally recounted stories of resilience and the horrors of the Oct. 7 attack, which claimed the lives of over 1,200 Israelis. Meanwhile, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claimed that over 11,200 Gazans had been killed in the fighting. Debra from New York mentioned that posters she had hung in her neighborhood advocating for the release of hostages had been taken down. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Mike Johnson both spoke at the rally, representing both Democrats and Republicans coming together in support of Israel. Despite the rise in antisemitism, many demonstrators expressed their belief that there are still many people standing strong with the Jewish community, and that the protests against Israel are a vocal minority.