WASHINGTON - An estimated 290,000 people descended on the National Mall Tuesday in a show of support for the state of Israel, the hostages that were taken on Oct. 7, and to stand against the growing antisemitism around the country.
In addition, organizers said 250,000 people watched the event online.
"I think what's important is not what's said at the rally, it's important how many people show up. this is a numbers game," former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman told CBN News.
Organizers said a public stand with Israel was needed as blatant Jew hatred is rapidly rising across America. FBI Director Christopher Wray recently told Congress that antisemitism is reaching historic levels in the United States.
"A lot of what we're doing with this event on Tuesday is to show the world, to show America, to show Congress, and to show the White House that the vast, vast majority of Americans stand with Israel and not with these Hamas sympathizers who are dressing like terrorists and minimizing and rationalizing the terror that has befallen Israel," William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations told CBN News.
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Pro-Palestinian marches around the world and on U.S. college campuses are raising concerns about the level of antisemitism in America.
"Palestine will be free in our lifetime," declared Nadya Tannous from the Palestinian Youth Movement at a recent rally in Washington, D.C.
In London, hundreds of thousands of Pro-Palestinian marchers are filling the streets every week.
While in Paris last weekend, more than 100,000 people marched against antisemitism.
The protests and counter-protests come as Israel is facing increasing international pressure as it continues its war against Hamas in Gaza after the terror group slaughtered more than 1,400 Israelis, and continues to hold an estimated 239 hostages.
Ahead of the D.C. rally, Christians gathered at the Israeli embassy to view an unedited video of the horrific Hamas terror attacks on Oct. 7.
"I came today to get insight on the ugliness, the brutality, I've now seen it first hand," Bishop E.W. Jackson told CBN News. "And I had to come and bear witness to it – now I'm going to tell everybody I can what I've learned and why it's important that we stand with Israel."
Event organizers told CBN News they were in constant contact with law enforcement to address security concerns around Tuesday's event.
Watch: CBN News Coverage of the March for Israel below.
Hundreds posted to social media during the rally condemning antisemitism and demanding for the release of hostages.
They riot… we pray!
Earlier today outside the White House.#MarchForIsrael pic.twitter.com/KxqwmpMDrk
— Charles Weber (@CWBOCA) November 14, 2023
A huge crowd gathering in Washington, DC today to show support for Israel #MarchForIsraelpic.twitter.com/2ekuPfMSZK
— Sarah Raviani (@sarahraviani) November 14, 2023
In DC covering the #MarchForIsrael with @TPUSA. Tonz of people as far as the eye can see. More than I’ve even seen.
There are no chants for genocide. No statues getting vandalized. No violence.
Just a beautiful, peaceful rally. pic.twitter.com/QNdoIpuC5B
— Chaya Raichik (@ChayaRaichik10) November 14, 2023
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