Nassau County rally for Israel draws 5,000

After four days of war between Israel and Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by the United States and Israel, officials estimated that over 5,000 people rallied in Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow Tuesday night to show support for Israel and Jewish people around the world.

Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched Operation al-Aqsa Flood, a coordinated assault consisting of land and air attacks into multiple border areas of Israel on Oct. 7, 50 years after the Yom Kippur War. The attack came on Shabbos, the Jewish Sabbath day, and the end of the weeklong Jewish festival of Sukkot.

Led by Bruce. Blakeman, the first Jewish Nassau County executive, the county organized the rally that included more than 40 elected officials from both major political parties leaders from different faiths, Jewish war veterans and several other members from the Jewish community.

“Nassau County stands with Israel,” Blakeman said.

Led by Rabbi Josh Dorsch, the senior rabbi from the Merrick Jewish Center, the rally began with Psalm 121 being recited. His reading was met with a chorus of “amen” from the crowd.

After a musical interlude from Cantor Nissim Saal, Rabbi Anchelle Perl, the leader of the Chabad of Mineola spoke. “Here on Long Island we are rallying behind our brothers and sisters, no matter our religious affiliation, no matter our political persuasions, we come together in our desire to support the people of Israel., he said. “We must stop appeasing terrorists, and their supporters,” Perl’s words brought cheers and hollers from the crowd.

In between speakers, Saal led the crowd in the United States’ national anthem and Cantor Ofer Barnoy from Temple Beth Shalom in Roslyn conducted “Hatikvah,” the Israeli national anthem.

Bishop Phillip Elliot, leader of the Antioch Baptist Church in Hempstead, said, “Tonight we have a war on our hands, we have a war call, that came to us all. We have to respond to a draft notice to enlist in the army against injustice, and terrorism.”

“October seven, last Saturday, our Shabbat, our holy Shabbat and the day that we will never, never ever forget,” said County Legislator Mazi Pilip of Great Neck.

The former Israel Defense Forces paratrooper added, “This is the day in our Shabbat, in Simchat Torah where Am Yisrael is supposed to dance on the street in Israel. They came in, they killed our people, they murder our babies, they kidnap our teenagers, they evil that we never thought we would see like this. My message to Hamas is this, I promise you the Jewish people, the state of Israel, the American people will make you pay the price you deserve!”

The huge crowd erupted into chants of “Am Yisrael Chai,” which translates into English as, “The people of Israel live.”

Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare attended the rally and provided this statement to the Herald.

“It is important to show our support of Israel and unite in condemning the terrorist acts of Hamas,” he said. “Many people I spoke with at the rally were appreciate that the event was held, and said they felt a great sense of belonging which was very important, since many in attendance felt very vulnerable and alone since the attacks on Saturday. I was glad that I could offer at least a bit of solace by showing support for our Israeli brothers and sisters.”