Demonstrators from all across the country descended on the National Mall in the nation’s capital on Tuesday in a show of support for Israel as its war with Hamas extends into its second month. 

What You Need To Know

  • Demonstrators from all across the country descended on the National Mall in the nation’s capital on Tuesday in a show of support for Israel 
  • Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Democratic House and Senate leaders, Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, delivered remarks in-person
  • Those in attendance denounced antisemitism and demanded more in the way of the release of hostages
  • Tuesday’s demonstration comes as Biden is navigating a delicate situation – steadfastly defending the right and obligation of Israel to defend itself while also calling for the protection of civilians in Gaza

Speakers, ranging from family members of those held hostage by Hamas to the Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the sea of blue and white – with Herzog appearing virtually. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Democratic House and Senate leaders, Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, delivered remarks in-person on Tuesday. 

“There are a few issues in Washington that can so easily bring together leaders of both parties in both chambers but the survival of the state of Israel and our people unites us together,” Johnson said. “Let me be very clear, the United States stands unequivocally with our neighbor, our friend, our ally: Israel.” 

“Even in its darkest days, the United States has always stood with Israel and we will do everything to see that that never, ever changes,” Schumer said. 

The Senate majority leader noted Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel – which left 1,200 dead and started the war – marked “the most Jews killed in a single day since the Holocaust,” and called on the world to “not forget history.” 

Thousands were set to attend the rally – called The March for Israel – organized by the Jewish Foundations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations to denounce antisemitism and demand more in the way of the release of hostages. Students traveled by charter bus from around the country to Washington to show solidarity. 

“We’re here to send a message that this is what the majority of Americans, of people of good will believe – that we must stand with Israel as they defend themselves, that we must call to release the hostages,” Ethan Fine, a college student from Indiana said. “This is going to be a day filled with peace and prayer.”

Hamas is believed to be holding more than 200 hostages. The militant group, designated a terrorist group by the U.S., released four, including two Americans, in late October but has not let any out since. White House National Security Council Advisor Jake Sullivan said nine U.S. citizens and one green card holder are still missing and the U.S. does not know whether they are dead or alive. 

“Hang in there. We’re coming,” President Joe Biden said when asked what his message was to the families of hostages at the end of an unrelated event at the White House on Tuesday. 

“I’ve been talking with the people involved every single day,” Biden said. “I believe it is going to happen but I don’t want to get into detail.” 

Tuesday’s demonstration comes as Biden is navigating a delicate situation – steadfastly defending the right and obligation of America's long-time ally in the Middle East to defend itself while also calling for the protection of civilians in Gaza as the death toll in the Palestinian territories rises and the humanitarian situation worsens. 

In a direct display of that balancing act, on Monday, during an Oval Office sit-down with Biden, Indonesian President Joko Widodo asked the U.S. to “do more to stop the atrocities in Gaza.”

“Cease-fire is a must for the sake of humanity,” he told Biden. 

As some in the international world call for a cease-fire, the U.S. president has not gone that far, pushing instead for “pauses” in the fighting to allow civilians in northern Gaza to move to safer areas in the south and potentially make strides in the safe return of hostages. 

“I don’t care what religion you are. We’re all humans. And there’s a difference between Palestinians and terrorists, and I wish more people would understand that,” Virginia resident Sarah Blumberg said at Tuesday’s rally. 

Just more than a week ago, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington to raise awareness of the thousands of civilian deaths in Gaza and demand a ceasefire. 

Johnson on Tuesday referred to calls for a cease-fire as “outrageous,” adding “this is a fight between good and evil, between light and darkness, between civilization and barbarism.” 

“Israel will cease their counter-offensive when Hamas ceases to be a threat to the Jewish state,” he said. 

Since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, the Anti-Defamation League has reported a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents around the nation. College campuses in particular have faced increased incidents. 

Five years ago, while a student at Queens University in Charlotte, Noah Goldman shared his story of a picture of a swastika being put under his door. 

At Tuesday’s rally, Goldman told Spectrum News what he is seeing around the nation today surpasses that experience in 2018. 

“What I experienced four, five years ago pales in comparison. We’ve seen violence and threats and really inappropriate language that’s been used towards the Jewish community,” he said.