Hundreds of thousands of people are estimated to have shown up for a pro-Israel rally in Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, at least 290,000 people are estimated to have descended on the nation’s capital in support of Israel and the families of the more than 200 people still being held hostage by Hamas following its Oct. 7 massacre.
It was billed as an “opportunity for all Americans to come together in solidarity with the people of Israel, to demonstrate our commitment to America’s most important ally in the Middle East, to condemn the rising trend of antisemitic violence and harassment, and to demand that every hostage be immediately and safely released.”
The event featured speakers such as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who expressed the United States’ support for Israel. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also addressed the rally.
Former United States Ambassador to Israel David Friedman emphasized the massive turnout as he claimed it was “the largest Jewish gathering in history since Mount Sinai.”
Final estimated headcount at the pro-Israel rally in DC: 290,000 people. Makes this the largest Jewish gathering in history since Mount Sinai.
— David M Friedman (@DavidM_Friedman) November 14, 2023
Some users on X, formerly known as Twitter, questioned the claim.
Still, Michael Dickson, executive director of the pro-Israel organization Stand With Us, said the event was the “largest pro-Israel rally in American history.”
🇺🇸THE U.S. STANDS WITH ISRAEL🇮🇱
— Michael Dickson (@michaeldickson) November 14, 2023
The largest pro-Israel rally in American history. #MarchForIsrael pic.twitter.com/FoSszuIKnz
Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog labeled the rally an “unprecedented show of support for Israel, a clear call for the immediate release of the hostages and a powerful coming-together to combat antisemitism.”
“There are defining moments in history, and this was one of them. As I said at this amazing gathering: ‘together through our shared voices, values and strength, we will defeat evil and we will prevail,'” he added.
Today, I addressed hundreds of thousands at a rally in downtown Washington DC. It was an unprecedented show of support for Israel, a clear call for the immediate release of the hostages and a powerful coming-together to combat antisemitism.
— Ambassador Michael Herzog (@AmbHerzog) November 14, 2023
There are defining moments in… pic.twitter.com/VdcLdJkhe9
CBS News notes the turnout was far higher than the 60,000 estimated on permits filed for the event by the Jewish Federations of North America and Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, which planned the rally.