Thousands rally in support of Israel in US capital

WASHINGTON

Thousands of people gathered in the US capital Tuesday to express solidarity with Israel as it continued to bombard Gaza following an attack last month by the Palestinian group Hamas.

The demonstrators rallied at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in the "March for Israel," demanding the return of hostages being held in Gaza and protesting against antisemitism.

The gathering was organized by a coalition of Jewish groups including the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

The participants carried Israeli and American flags and expressed their support for President Joe Biden's administration for its support for Israel’s operations in Gaza.

They chanted "No cease-fire" when House Speaker Mike Johnson, in his address to the crowd, said the "calls for a cease-fire are outrageous.”

Meanwhile, a smaller group representing the ultra-Orthodox anti-Zionist sect Neturei Karta staged a counter-protest. Members of the group, including some younger participants, stepped on and spit on an Israeli flag on the ground, chanting slogans like "Zionism is terrorism."

The gathering led to heightened security measures and road closures in many parts of downtown Washington.

The US has recently witnessed pro-Palestinian rallies by Muslim and Jewish groups. Two weeks ago, a huge crowd of demonstrators gathered in Freedom Plaza to call for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 11,320 Palestinians have been killed, including nearly 7,800 women and children, while over 29,200 others have been injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings including hospitals, mosques and churches have been damaged or destroyed in the Israeli offensive.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, stands at 1,200, according to official figures.