A large rally in support of Israel, named the "March for Israel," took place on Central Washington Boulevard. The event, which started near the George Washington Monument and in front of the Capitol building, gathered activists dressed in Israeli flag colors, T-shirts with the Star of David, and slogans backing the Jewish state. Participants carried flags of Israel and the United States, as well as posters and banners expressing support for Israel.
The main focus of the rally was advocating for the immediate release of hostages held by the Palestinian movement Hamas. Protesters held posters with portraits and names of the hostages, emphasizing the slogan "Bring them home." Prominent figures, including Democratic Majority Leader of the US Senate Chuck Schumer and Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson, voiced their support for Israel.
The event attracted participants from various states, including delegations of students from several American universities and schoolchildren. While many showed enthusiasm, not all attendees shared the organizers' sentiments, with some expressing skepticism about the US stance on the issue.
Pro-Palestinian rallies
Counter-protests in support of Palestine occurred on Washington's Central Boulevard, where representatives of the American wing of the Neturei Karta Jewish movement, known for opposing the existence of the State of Israel, participated. They lined the street, holding banners featuring crossed-out images of the Israeli flag and the statement, "Real rabbis have always been against Zionism and the State of Israel."
Chanting slogans like "One-two-three-four! Israel must go! Five-six-seven-eight! Israel is not a Jewish state!", the protesters expressed their opposition to Israel. Some participants displayed Palestinian flags, and slogans in support of Palestine and the Gaza Strip were painted on walls and asphalt near the site of the pro-Israel march.
Incident-free
The "March for Israel" in Washington was organized by the Jewish Federations of North America, a coalition of American Jewish community organizations. Their goal was to express support for Israel, advocating for the release of hostages and confronting anti-Semitism. The Conference of Presidents of Leading American Jewish Organizations also participated in organizing the march. Organizers estimated that about 100,000 people would participate, and media reports indicate that at least tens of thousands attended.
The event was peaceful, with no serious incidents or law and order violations. However, police units were present in the city center. At one point, some participants of the pro-Israel march approached supporters of the Jewish movement for Palestine, exchanging slogans, but law enforcement prevented any direct confrontation.
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Based on materials from TASS