Organized by the New York-based Lmaan Tzion (For Zion) Committee, the rally is scheduled for Thursday, July 6, from noon to 2 PM, in front of the Israeli Consulate at 800 2nd Avenue, between 42nd & 43rd Streets in Manhattan.
The organizers have formulated four objectives for the rally:
1) To show support for Israel's current Gaza invasion.
2) To pray for the safe return of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
3) To protest further suicidal Israeli withdrawals that only serve to embolden terrorists and endanger Jewish lives.
4) To show that American Jewry stands with their Israeli brethren as they stand up for their G-d-given rights and G-d-given land.
The rally has the support of mainstream organizations and individuals. Among the speakers will be New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, Rabbi Pesach Lerner of the Young Israel movement, Rabbi David Algaze, Shmuel Sackett of Manhigut Yehudit, Helen Freedman of AFSI, and more. Musical entertainment will be provided by Jewish rock band "Eden."
The rally is being held in the wake of recent patronizing remarks by Israel's Consul General in New York, Aryeh Mekel. Mekel was quoted as saying, "American Jews should support Olmert's planned withdrawal ,or they will be told to keep quiet."
In response, three Jewish groups - Professors for a Strong Israel, Women in Green, and Cities of Israel (Mattot Arim) - stated that American Jews are not merely entitled to speak up against the dangerous realignment plan, but actually "have a clear political and moral obligation to do so."
The organizers have formulated four objectives for the rally:
1) To show support for Israel's current Gaza invasion.
2) To pray for the safe return of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
3) To protest further suicidal Israeli withdrawals that only serve to embolden terrorists and endanger Jewish lives.
4) To show that American Jewry stands with their Israeli brethren as they stand up for their G-d-given rights and G-d-given land.
The rally has the support of mainstream organizations and individuals. Among the speakers will be New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, Rabbi Pesach Lerner of the Young Israel movement, Rabbi David Algaze, Shmuel Sackett of Manhigut Yehudit, Helen Freedman of AFSI, and more. Musical entertainment will be provided by Jewish rock band "Eden."
The rally is being held in the wake of recent patronizing remarks by Israel's Consul General in New York, Aryeh Mekel. Mekel was quoted as saying, "American Jews should support Olmert's planned withdrawal ,or they will be told to keep quiet."
In response, three Jewish groups - Professors for a Strong Israel, Women in Green, and Cities of Israel (Mattot Arim) - stated that American Jews are not merely entitled to speak up against the dangerous realignment plan, but actually "have a clear political and moral obligation to do so."