Rallying for Israel in NYC
Rallying for Israel in NYCIsrael news photo: Shana Neumann-Tatzpit Unit

Some 600 people rallied outside the Israeli Embassy in New York on Wednesday to show their support for the Jewish State.

Demonstrators waved signs saying “Israel has a duty to defend its citizens from terror” and “Peace activists don't use knives & clubs.”

At least a thousand members of the Jewish community in Brussels, Belgium demonstrated Tuesday, as did other Jewish communities around the world. Belgian police closed the streets in response to concerns there would be violence from anti-Israel demonstrators.

Worldwide Bnei Akiva movement leader Tuvia Leichter commented, “It's so encouraging that a thousand Belgian Jews were willing to leave their homes on Sunday to show their solidarity with Israel, despite the rainy day.”

Most of the participants were members of Zionist youth movements, including Bnei Akiva, HaBonim and HaShomer HaTza'ir.

At least 150 demonstrators also took to the streets in Hamburg, Germany to show their support for Israel. Marchers included Christians as well as Jews, singing Israeli songs such as “Oseh Shalom” (He Who Brings Peace) and “Am Yisroel Chai” (The People of Israel Lives).

Demonstrators also read a letter in support of Israel, expressing their “shock” and sadness over the nine deaths on the Turkish-sent flotilla ship where terror activists attacked Israeli Navy personnel, but supporting Israel's “right to defend itself and its sovereignty.”

Hundreds also demonstrated last week across from the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv. Protesters shouted epithets against the Turkish government, and waved signs saying, “Erdogan is Hitler,” “We are all Squadron 13” and “Turkey is a Terrorist State.”