I was there. So were almost 300,000 others. So, virtually, were an estimated 250,000 more.
But did we make a difference? Was the rally significant?
I think so. I hope so. We will see. It depends on us.
First the good news.
So many of us gathered together. We listened to lots of fine speeches, but they were not the highlight.
Our presence was.
For those few hours we were not alone in our anger, our grief, and our purpose. Crushed together in a rectangular area hundred of yards wide and even more long, we were united as one with three goals—an end to Hamas, return of the hostages, and a determination to beat back antisemitism.
Our common purpose was inspirational and invigorating.
Despite less than a week’s notice and being held on a weekday, large numbers of people from all over the country bussed, drove, and flew into D.C. to attend the Rally for Israel on the mall. They were of all ages. They were union members, progressives, conservatives, republicans, and democrats. In short, a cross-section of America’s political spectrum. Even a noted liberal commentator, Van Jones, spoke movingly on behalf of Israel and against antisemitism. So did Senate Leader Schumer and House Speaker Johnson—for those few moments both of one purpose.
All this was important because the news media has been filled with reports of demonstrations blatantly supporting Hamas or covertly doing so by demanding a ceasefire. Some of those marches have been violent. Others threatening. Yet almost universally, little criticism flowed from media pundits regarding their message or proclivity to spew hatred. Similarly, on college campuses, neither the media nor many university presidents or professors have pushed back against the purveyors of hate that overtly threaten Jewish students there. This cumulative failure of mainstream media and educators likely created the impression among many that the vocal anti-Jewish minority was the majority. Unmet, that perception will create overwhelming political pressure for America’s leaders to turn away from Israel. The huge demonstration I attended on Tuesday, was an important check of that false premise even though, not to my surprise, media coverage of the rally was disappointing and its memory will not linger.
Now, the bad news.
For forty days, Jews have been assailed by the rise of antisemitism and recognition that some of those we thought friends are not so much or are even enemies fixated on their own antisemitic agendas rather than our wellbeing. The savagery of October 7 brought momentary worldwide revulsion for Hamas, but it also brought something else, a vast increase in antisemitic acts. This is no accident. Antisemitism has been a growing threat, barely held back by civility. But the October 7 earthquake has caused the volcanic cone bottling this ancient threat to explode—heated discourse now runs rampant, clouds of hatred spew forth—all threatening our physical safety and place in America. Why? Because haters recognized that their best way to preserve Hamas, the terrorist organization they champion, was to attack. As a result, resting on our laurels, just feeling good about our presence on Tuesday, will not bottle up this purulent, antisemitic movement. To do so requires pressure from all sides. Pressure from us.
My Suggestions
I call on every reader of this newsletter to take stock of what you can do to help Israel win its information war; to help Jews in the diaspora to defend themselves against antisemitism; and to further bind us rather than see us divided. To do so, every day it is crucial that each and everyone one of us do something. More than 500,000 people cared enough about the issues we face to attend, in one way or another, the Rally for Israel on the mall. If all 500,000, and those who were not able to come, do one thing every day to stand against the growing tide of antisemitism and/or in support of Israel accomplishing its goals in this war, that’s a huge, diversified, and overwhelming force. A force whose numbers will grow because of our advocacy and actions. A force that will chip away at the numbers that wish us, and Israel, ill.
Some suggestions:
Forwarding or posting through your medium of choice to others those articles, podcasts, and videos that strike you most.
Speaking to at least one child, parent, friend, or business associate about why Hamas needs to be destroyed and the facts about antisemitism and its growth.
Tamping down divisive discourse and advocate focusing on victory before taking up any issues with Israel’s past and future conduct. The citizens of Israel have done so in mass. Shouldn’t we?
Contact the offices of local politicians to advocate for giving Israel the time and space it needs to eviscerate Hamas.
Attend gatherings in support of Israel.
Name, shame, and report those who undertake antisemitic acts like tearing down posters of the kidnapped.
Calling, speaking with, and writing to administrators of colleges that refuse to directly call-out antisemitism on their campuses.
Writing your own thoughts on your social media outlet of choice.
Gathering small groups and either speak to them yourself, or invite others to speak, that will make clear the peril Jews now face and the need to support Israel having the time and freedom of action necessary to destroy Hamas.
Push local business you are affiliated with to issues statements against antisemitism, and even better, in support of Israel.
Donate to people with a larger megaphone, like Alma (the education and research center I am affiliated with), or one of the many others that advocate on behalf of Israel and/or educate.
Donate to organizations providing assistance to Israelis—from soldiers to displaced Israeli civilians to those whose needs have been magnified by the current crisis. One such entity is Galila, which provides help for people in northern Israel, but there are plenty of others.
Rebut social media posts with false or inflammatory information and recruit others to do so (One of my friend’s daughters did so, resulting in the offensive post being withdrawn. I am so proud of her).
If you can’t change it from within, denounce and dissociate yourself from any group that contains or advocates even a whiff of antisemitism.
Let others know of my newsletter or other newsletters, etc. that you might think of value.
Keep current with the news. I have found I24 News, JNS, The Jerusalem Post, and the Times of Israel very helpful in that regard. So too the Alma Research and Education Center website. More information is also available on the Patreon site that Yaakov Lappin runs, at Emetonline, and FDD’s website.
The list above is not exhaustive. But our efforts must be. We cannot rest because our enemies are not resting. For far too long Jews and our supporters have taken a back seat, while the antisemites have been on the march.
Now, no more.
If events permit, the focus of my next newsletter will be on what has been accomplished, what remains to be done, and future concerns.
Daily Update: Israel at War Day 41 Nov. 16, 2023, 20:00 PM Israel Time—Written by the Alma Research Staff
Exposed: Weapons in Gaza's Shifa Hospital's MRI Building—Jonathan Conricus, IDF Spokesperson, takes us on a tour of what the IDF found in a few rooms in the hospital.
Check out this illuminating, frequently updated map from the Anti-Defamation League, which documents antisemitic acts since October 7.
Israel’s Struggle with Hezbollah—A War Without End is now available in eBook and hardback format on Amazon and IngramSpark. This compelling narrative explores Hezbollah’s origins and cancerous growth, traces Israel’s response, and reveals Israel’s present readiness to meet Hezbollah’s challenge.
Cliff Sobin
Important Link—Alma Research and Education Center: Understanding the Security Challenges on Israel’s Northern Border