This afternoon, July 13, 2014, the Los Angeles Jewish community and pro-Israel people stood together in a solidarity rally for Israel in front of the Federal building.
The rally was organized by StandWithUs [to stand with Israel] organization. They, mostly Israelis living in the USA, showed up in their hundreds, waving Israeli flags, some carrying all sort of slogans on plaques; they sang Israeli songs and shouted pro-Israel slogans and listened to many pro-Israel pep-up speeches.
What was lacking was the American Jews, in significant numbers, and the rabbis. The question was asked “why are they shying away from supporting Israel?”
Across from the rally stood some Arabs waving a “Palestine” state flag and plaques with “Nakba” and “hudna” written on them.
The police watched in large numbers, the crowd was excited but peaceful and many said two hours of solidarity with Israel is a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon soaked with sun.
Late in the day, four Palestinian men were handcuffed by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department. The men were taken away in a sheriff’s car from a parking lot at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue. It was said the four men were carrying long sticks that they used to attack the pro-Israel supporters, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Am Yisrael Chai
