A March for Israel is scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, drawing tens of thousands of participants who will gather to express their support for Israel, call for the release of hostages, and protest the growing issue of antisemitism in the United States. This surge in antisemitism has been observed since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war last month.
Understanding the March for Israel
Prior to the march, the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the organizers of the event, have encouraged attendees to arrive early. According to the events permit obtained by CBS News, an estimated 60,000 people are expected to participate.
The organizers state on the official website of the march, "The March for Israel will provide an opportunity for all Americans to stand united with the people of Israel, showcasing our unwavering support for America's crucial ally in the Middle East. Additionally, we aim to denounce the upward trajectory of antisemitic violence and harassment while demanding the immediate and safe release of all hostages."
Following the Hamas attack on October 7th, the Anti-Defamation League has documented 312 instances of antisemitism between October 7th and October 23rd. Of these incidents, 190 were directly linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
According to the ADL, there has been a significant increase in harassment, vandalism, and assault, with a staggering 338% rise compared to the same period in 2022.
The White House has reported that Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, has taken approximately 240 people hostage from Israel. Shockingly, one of the hostages is a child as young as three years old. So far, only four hostages have been released, and negotiations, mediated by Qatar, are currently underway to secure the release of more individuals.
The organizers of the D.C. march have expressed their support by providing posters for attendees and encouraging them to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #MarchForIsrael. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream of the event will be available.
What time is the March for Israel?
The March for Israel is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, at the National Mall. The event is expected to last until 3 p.m.
Organizers of the March for Israel in D.C. are urging large groups traveling by buses to register their buses in advance. However, the reserved bus parking lots are already full, they have announced.
Early Tuesday morning, travelers from cities like Boston and Pittsburgh made their way to Washington D.C. by bus. Laura Cherner of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh expressed the importance of coming together as a community and a nation amidst the increasing dehumanization of Israel and rise in antisemitism. She stated, "To have us come together with support from the entire nation is going to be a huge, historic moment," in an interview with CBS News Pittsburgh.
According to CBS Philadelphia, over 4,000 individuals from the Philadelphia area alone are heading to D.C. for the march.
March for Israel safety and security
CBS News has confirmed that the march has been designated a SEAR Level One event, which means there will be a stronger federal law enforcement presence in coordination with local law enforcement. D.C. police and U.S. Park Police will be on the ground during the event.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Level One SEAR events are considered "significant events with national and/or international importance that require extensive federal interagency support." They apply a "risk-based methodology to determine which first amendment events demand greater resources.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed to CBS News that there have been no specific threats to the D.C. march.
"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is actively collaborating with stakeholders across the United States to share timely information and resources aimed at enhancing safety in their communities," stated a spokesperson from Homeland Security in response to inquiries from CBS News. "The United States remains in a heightened threat environment, and recent events have only reinforced this fact. As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, there has been an increase in reports of threats targeting Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities and institutions. The most likely threat comes from lone offenders driven by various violent ideologies. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity promptly to their local law enforcement."
Additional Protests in Support of Israel and Palestinians
The ongoing war has ignited pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations in numerous major cities worldwide. New York City witnessed dueling protests at the beginning of the conflict, with both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups gathering outside the United Nations, in Times Square, and other prominent locations, as reported by CBS New York.
A pro-Palestinian march in Washington D.C. drew participants from various cities across the United States on November 3. Demonstrators called on President Biden to cease all aid to Israel, according to WUSA, a CBS affiliate.
In France, over 180,000 individuals, including 100,000 in Paris, engaged in peaceful protests against antisemitism on Sunday.
