The “March for Israel”, held on Tuesday, was attended by a total of approximately 290,000 people, which is three times the number expected by the organizers and the largest pro Israel gathering in U.S. History.

The rally was bigger than similar events in support of Israel during terror attacks in the second Palestinian Intifada, in 2002 and a rally in support of Soviet Jews who were trying to flee the USSR in 1988.

Speakers came from all walks and political parties. The speakers included politicians, including the entire Democratic leadership and Republican leadership in Congress; Hollywood celebrities, religious leaders and Israeli musicians who sang and spoke Hebrew.

Van Jones, a former icon of the “progressive left” that opposes Israel now, and John Hagee, a conservative pastor from America’s church of God spoke.

Jones was briefly booed for suggesting that Israel stop bombing Gaza. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-LA was cheered by the crowd when he refused a ceasefire at the outset as the Israeli military closed in on Hamas’ leadership.

The Jewish Federations of North America, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations planned the rally. There was such a high level of interest that the flights to Washington D.C. sold out and Jewish communities hired buses to travel from distant cities were out of seats.

Since Palestinian Hamas terrorists struck Israel on October 7, the American Jewish community feels under siege by an antisemitic outbreak. Anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian marching — some of them celebrating the Hamas terror attack — started before Israel even responded militarily.

Antisemitic incidents have risen in the U.S., as well as around the globe. One Jewish man died after an altercation at a pro Israel rally near Los Angeles.

The rally, held in the bright autumn sunshine of November, was a welcome antidote for the sadness and heaviness of the preceding five weeks. It was also conducted with a spirit of joy and determination.