FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2023
Contact: [email protected]
FINAL PREPARED REMARKS BY MARCH FOR ISRAEL ORGANIZATION LEADERS WILLIAM DAROFF, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS OF MAJOR AMERICAN JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS AND ERIC FINGERHUT, PRESIDENT AND CEO,
THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA
March is the largest pro-Israel gathering in U.S. History with over 290,000 attendees on the National Mall and Over 250,000 watching on livestream.
Washington, D.C. – Below are the prepared remarks given from the stage by William Daroff, Chief Executive Officer, Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations and Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America.
On behalf of the leadership and the 50 member organizations of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, I thank you for coming today to this historic March for Israel.
Eric:
On behalf of the leadership of the 146 Jewish Federations across North America, I thank you for your resolve and your determination to show up today on the National Mall, America’s front yard, to exercise our democratic rights.
William:
We have indeed made history today, with over 290,000 people gathered on this National Mall, and over 250,000 watching via livestream and on CSPAN, this is the largest pro-Israel gathering in history. Look at what we can do in just over a week!
Eric:
Today’s crowd brings together every sector of American life – people of all faiths and creed, of all races and background – to say together with unity and strength:
- We support Israel’s fight to rid itself of the terror threat and restore safety and security to its people
- We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages held in captivity in Gaza, and
- We will not allow the haters and antisemites to intimidate us – we are America and America is us.
William:
We thank and appreciate the bipartisan support of Israel from the President of the United States, Joe Biden, and the United States Congress, all reflected here today. We want them to know that support for Israel in America is overwhelming, is bipartisan and transcends geography and ideology. Americans support Israel and understand why it must be victorious in its war against Hamas, and America’s leaders must continue to reflect the will of America’s people.
Eric:
And today’s historic crowd also brings together every segment of the diverse Jewish community in this great country. We stand here together on the National Mall, proudly, to declare our unity in face of the most dangerous threat to the Jewish people since the Holocaust – the need to defeat the murderous, barbarous Hamas army that has already tortured and murdered thousands of Jews and will continue on this path if not stopped.
William:
As we face this challenge, our core values of Torah – our heritage, Tefillah – our prayerful quest, and Tzedakah – acts of goodness and kindness, guide us forward with a unique strength.
Eric:
Of course, our work does not stop here today. We must continue to march in our communities and in every forum, we have available to us.
William:
Contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the supplemental package of aid to Israel.
Eric:
Contact your Alma mater and demand that they act against the antisemitism on campus and defend the rights of Jewish students to go to school free of intimidation and harassment.
William:
Keep the hostages in the forefront of our thoughts and actions – in our conversations, on our social media, and in our prayers.
Eric:
And support and advocate for Israel in your communities, your businesses, your schools and your neighborhoods. Support for Israel in the Capitol begins with support for Israel back home. This will be a long fight. In the words of the psalm, we must neither slumber nor sleep – Hinei lo Yanoom v’lo yishan shomer yisrael.
William:
As we leave this National Mall today, we do so with gratitude for all Americans of all faiths and walks of life who have joined in this march. You know that Israel’s fight against Hamas is no different than America’s fight against ISIS or Al Qaeda and must be fought to victory in the same manner.
Eric:
And as we leave this National Mall today, we do so with gratitude to all who helped make today possible, and especially to the law enforcement agencies who made our visit to the Nation’s Capital a priority. And we leave with a love of America deep in our souls. Let our faith in God, our love of country, and our love of all the people of Israel guide us today and always.
William and Eric:
Baruch atah b’voecha, baruch atah b’tzeitecha, blessed were you in coming, blessed may you be in your travels home.
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Published: Nov 14, 2023