Over 200,000 people march on Washington to support Israel, combat rising antisemitism

An estimated 290,000 people gathered in Washington DC on Tuesday for the March for Israel, held in support of the nation as it continues its war against the Palestinian terror group Hamas, and to condemn the rising antisemitism seen since the October 7 attack against the Jewish nation, both in the US and around the world and to demand the release of the over 200 hostages taken.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers spoke at the rally, which took place on the National Mall, with ABC News reporting that they were shown video of the October 7 attack that resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 Israelis.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told the crowd that lawmakers "wept as we watched the film together. Most couldn’t sit through it."

Johnson said that the calls for "a ceasefire are outrageous," adding that "Israel will cease their counteroffensive when Hamas ceases to be a threat to the Jewish state."

The bipartisan group included Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senator Joni Ernst.

A medical tent was reportedly vandalized overnight on the National Mall, with phrases like "Palestine will be free" and "Gaza will win" being spray-painted on the outside. The tents were flipped inside out so the messages were not displayed.

The rally featured a video message from Israeli President Issac Herzog, who said that the spread of antisemitism internationally is "an embarrassment to all civilized people and nations."

After “the largest massacre since the Holocaust,” he said, “let us call out together, never again.”

“No one will break us,” he vowed. “We will rise again … There is no greater and just cause than this.”

The rally also featured the family members of some of the hostages taken from Israel, who pleaded for their release.

The State of Israel’s official X account posted in response to the massive gathering: "Thank you to each and every one of our Jewish and non-Jewish brothers, sisters and allies."

"Your support during this difficult time means everything to us and we feel your love always, but especially today."

The event was organized by the Jewish Federations for North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

The group described the event as an effort to gather in "solidarity with the Israeli people while demanding the immediate release of the remaining hostages and to condemn the rise of antisemitism."