WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Tens of thousands of people descended Tuesday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for a "March for Israel." Some of those who attended were from the Tampa Bay region.
Leaders with Tampa Jewish Community Centers & Federation say early Tuesday morning roughly 170 people from its local chapter as well as its partners in Pinellas and Sarasota-Manatee, flew on a chartered plane from Sarasota Airport to Washington, D.C. They estimate another 50 people with their organizations drove to D.C. to participate in the rally.
The demonstration was organized as threats against Jewish people are on the rise across the country. Speakers included lawmakers and family members of the hostages still being held in Gaza. Organizers and the families called for their safe release.
Joe Probasco of Tampa, a Trustee with the Jewish Federation of North America, said it was a no-brainer to travel to D.C. to participate.
"We looked at this as a community as an 'it's time to show up' moment," Probasco said. "I think this is an important moment for the American-Jewish communities to share its support, to speak, to be seen, and to be heard."
Probasco said there were three goals this giant crowd shared: to denounce antisemitism, to demand Hamas release all hostages and to support Israel.
"We want to make sure that Congress and certainly President Biden know that we stand in lockstep with the administration and everything they've done in support of Israel during these difficult times," Probasco said.
The streets of D.C. also saw a massive pro-Palestine rally earlier this month, with calls for an Israeli ceasefire.
Hassan Shibly has been an active Palestine advocate, participating in rallies locally.
"We're asking for an end to the bombing of a civilian population," Shibly said. "These pro-Israel rallies essentially are calling for unconditional support for what Israel is doing. The way we see it, they're pro-war, they're pro bloodshed."
But others argue Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israelis, and the ongoing hostage situation, can't go unanswered.
"Our heart breaks for any Palestinian civilian loss of life that is innocent," Probasco said. "That said, Israel has, as does every other sovereign nation, the unequivocal right to defend itself. And I don't want this to be lost that Hamas infiltrated and attacked on Israeli soil civilians and murdered 1,200 civilians, and kidnapped 240 civilians. So Israel has a right to maintain the sanctity and security of its borders, and the protection of its people."
But blame and adequate response seem a matter of perspective.
Shibly said, "Terrorist organizations say, well, you killed our civilians, so we're going to kill you. We can't use that kind of logic. We need to call for peace and understand what happened didn't happen in a vacuum. It's the result of occupation."
Common ground on views at home, tonight feeling as distant as peace abroad.