Thousands Expected at Rally for Israel Netanyahu, Wiesel Among Speakers Monday at Capitol
By Debbi Wilgoren Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, April 13, 2002; Page B04
Tens of thousands of people from Jewish groups across the country plan to rally at the Capitol on Monday in support of Israel and to denounce Palestinian suicide bombings.
The rally, organizers said, will bring thousands to the city, most of them in hundreds of buses from the East Coast and from cities such as Cleveland, Detroit and Indianapolis. It was proposed this week, and word spread rapidly, mostly by e-mail. Buses filled within hours. By yesterday, more than 600 of them were chartered. Some companies that charter coaches in the New York area announced that they had no more vehicles to lease.
Organizers said yesterday that they were stunned by the response.
"The response has been overwhelming," said Gita Galbut, 46, a medical office worker who was organizing a charter flight for members of her Miami synagogue. The 170-seat flight sold out, for $280 a seat, and has a growing waiting list. A second charter is a possibility, said Galbut, who will be on the first plane with her husband and three of her six children.
"The community is desperate to help Israel in any way possible," said another volunteer organizer at the synagogue, Helene Berkowitz. "As a nation, we feel very helpless. Whatever happens to Israel happens to us."
Planes were also being chartered in Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles. Jewish schools will send hundreds of students, and pilgrimages are planned by Jewish college groups on the East Coast and in the Midwest.
Kenny Yager, of the 210-member Congregation Beth Abraham in Bergenfield, N.J., chartered two buses early this week. He soon booked a third. By the time he discovered that he would need a fourth bus, there were none to be had.
Speakers at the rally, which is to begin at 1 p.m., are to include former Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and the relatives of two victims of Palestinian attacks -- one a 14-year-old Israeli boy who once lived in Silver Spring. House Minority Leader Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) shuffled plans to speak at the event.
Authorities said Metro's Orange and Blue lines will be jammed, and security will be tight. But no street closings or major commuter disruptions were anticipated.
Organizers said the demand shows the deep concern that many American Jews feel about escalating violence in the Middle East. That anxiety grew yesterday with news of another suicide bombing in Jerusalem, one that killed six people in a marketplace just before the Jewish Sabbath.
"Support is particularly critical right now, because Israel is literally fighting for its life," said Linda Kuzmack, 62, of Kensington, who is organizing fellow members of Ohr Kodesh Congregation in Chevy Chase to take Metro to the rally.
Plans for the event, called the National Solidarity Rally for Israel, were launched Monday night in a conference call of Jewish leaders, whose constituents were demanding a way to come together to be heard.
The rally follows several smaller demonstrations for and against Israel in the past two weeks. Yesterday, about 50 students, professors and others protested at Georgetown University, where three young Israelis were giving a talk. The demonstrators waved signs, chanted, "Free, free Palestine!" and denounced U.S. support for Israel. Protesters posing as Israeli soldiers "attacked" students representing Palestinians.
Larger pro-Palestinian demonstrations are expected April 20 through 22.
"This is a very dark hour for Israel and the Jewish people. Kids can't walk to the candy store. People are stuck in their homes," said Robert Hylfer, chief operating officer at the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, a sponsor of the rally with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and United Jewish Communities. "It's important for us to tell them, 'We are there for you.' "
The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks made the violence in Israel more real to Americans, organizers said. They said many Christian groups will send delegations to the rally, and some Muslims are expected.
Rabbi Jack Moline said up to 200 of his congregants from Agudas Achim synagogue in Alexandria will go. "People have been waiting for this opportunity for quite a while," Moline said. "This is finally an indication that we're comfortable enough to gather and make our voices heard."
Rabbis from all four branches of Judaism are to pray on stage, organizers said. The political spectrum will range from the dovish Peace Now to right-wing groups.
Buses will park at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, and rally-goers will take Metro to the West Lawn of the Capitol, which U.S. Capitol Police said can hold up to 40,000 people. Organizers bought 42,000 Metro Farecards to give out at the stadium.
Metro spokeswoman Cheryl Johnson said the agency expects heavy crowds on the Orange and Blue lines and will add trains if needed. Organizers said they do not anticipate street closures, partly because most blocks around the Capitol are already closed for security reasons.
Organizers urged attendees not to bring bags, which could conceal weapons or explosives. As of yesterday, no groups had applied for a permit to stage a counterprotest, said Lt. Dan Nichols of the Capitol Police.
Staff writers William Branigin, Lyndsey Layton, David Snyder and Mary Beth Sheridan contributed to this report.
© 2002 The Washington Post Company