Records were broken when pro-Israel supporters took to the streets in London and New York calling for the release of the 125 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza and to show their support for Israel and the Jewish people amid rising antisemitism.
In London, the Metropolitan police estimated up to 40,000 people had taking part in Sunday afternoon’s rally. The march to Richmond Terrance in Whitehall, opposite Downing Street, was organised by the 7/10 Human Chain group and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, who were supported by dozens of Jewish, Christian, and pro-Israel groups, including Christians United for Israel UK (CUFI UK).
Daniel Shek, head of diplomacy at the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, said to loud cheers from the crowd: “We serve as the voices taken away from the hostages. We will not be silenced. We will speak out until the very last hostage is safely home”.
Lionel Benjamin, cousin of Ron Benjamin who was murdered whilst on a bike ride on 7 October and whose body was recovered in May, spoke emotionally to crowd and receive huge applause when he declared, “No hostages, no ceasefire.”
In New York, more than 100,000 people turned out to mark the annual Israel Day on Fifth parade in New York City. This was a distinctly pro-Israel event that was supported by politicians on both sides of the American political aisle.
The UJA-Federation of New York announced that the number in attendance was their biggest yet, “breaking all previous records.”
Eden Golan, Israel’s Eurovision star, joined UJA’s float at the parade, while Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, New York governor Kathy Hochul, city mayor Eric Adams and state attorney general Letitia James also attended, “demonstrating their love and support for Israel, its people and its culture”, said the UJA-Federation.
“This is the most important parade in my lifetime,” Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, which organises the parade said.
Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres said: “We all want to see an end to the war in Gaza. But an end to the war requires above all else the release of the hostages.”
He added: “Hamas has the power to end the war it began and release the hostages.”
“It is an important day for us to know that American people stand with Israel, every day, every time, everywhere,” Sharon said.
It is wonderful to see so many people taking a stand for Israel in America and Britain. These were a mixture of people from all different backgrounds and it showed that Israel is not alone, there are many people who stand with them.
This is even more impressive when we think of the fact that anti-Israel protesters have been taking to the streets in record numbers.
Much of the anti-Israel lobby is fuelled by antisemitic hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. One of the tactics used to get their way is intimidation and aggression.
It takes far greater courage to stand up against evil than to cower to it. The brave men and women in London and New York on Sunday deserve amazing credit for standing up for what is right.
Israel is a force for good in this world. The Bible is clear that Christians must stand with Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. It is not a nice idea, it is a command from God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth and the defender of Israel.
Let’s pray that millions more people will stand with Israel in its time of need. Antisemitism must never win.
