Posted on 07/17/2006 11:25:00 AM PDT by areafiftyone
MORE than 2000 people have joined pro-Israel rallies in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
The rallies were billed to support the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit, who was taken captive by Palestinians in Gaza three weeks ago.
Since then, two more Israeli soldiers have been kidnapped on the Lebanese border by Hezbollah.
More than 1000 people signed a petition in Melbourne, said Zionist Federation of Australia president Philip Chester.
“If a thousands rockets were launch into cities and suburbs in Australia, how would the Australian Government react,” he told media after the event.
In Sydney, a giant 10-metre blue ribbon was signed by more than 800 people.
Dr Ron Weiser, immediate past president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, told the crowd at Waverley Park in Bondi that Israel has a right to exist in peace and security.
“Enough of the silence of many in the press and international arena when Jews are killed,” he said.
“Enough of the hypocrisy that says Jews should not defend themselves, that Jews should just accept that they can be killed without taking measures to stop such action. Enough!”
State Zionist Council of NSW president Brian Levitan recited a special prayer for the release of the soldiers sent by the Israeli Government.
He said the blue ribbons were part of an Australian campaign to raise awareness of the plight of the soldiers.
At Caulfield Park in Melbourne, Federal MP Michael Danby told the crowd that Israel was exercising its right to self-defence.
“Imagine that the NSW Government allowed a group armed with long-range rockets to bomb the suburbs of Melbourne from NSW and then protested that Victoria should not respond because they had no control of this armed militia in their territory. That is the equivalent of what the Lebanese government is saying,” he said.
”So let us understand that Israel’s cause is our cause. Israel’s victory over terrorism is Australia’s victory. The defeat of Hezbollah and Hamas is indivisible from the defeat of Jemaah Islamiyah or al-Qaeda.”
State Zionist Council of Victoria president Dr Danny Lamm also spoke to the rally, and Temple Beth Israel’s Rabbi Fred Morgan and Mizrachi’s Rabbi Yaakov Sprung said prayers.
In Canberra last Friday, about 40 members of Hineni Zionist youth movement demonstrated outside the Syrian Embassy in protest at Palestinian and Hezbollah terrorists.
Among the slogans on posters they displayed were “Israel wants peace” and “HypocriSyria”.
“We call on the Palestinian and Hezbollah terrorists to release their hostages immediately, and cease all terror and violence,” said ACT Jewish Community resident Bill Arnold.
The Melbourne and Sydney rallies were organised by the State Zionist Council of NSW and Victoria with the Zionist Federation of Australia, the Australian Union of Jewish Students and the Zionist Youth Council.
A special prayer service is being held at Caulfield Hebrew Congregation, Melbourne, in solidarity with Israel on Thursday, July 20, at 7pm.
A pro-Israel event is being planned in Sydney for Sunday night, July 23, at the Great Synagogue, at 7pm.
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From Jerusalem Post:
Thousands rally for Israel near UN HQ
Numerous participants were showing support for Israel during a rally Monday evening at the United Nations HQ.
Among many, speakers included Senator Hillary Clinton, the General Consul Arieh Makal and Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Gilerman.
A caller is giving a report to Rush right as we speak.
Kewl. Too bad I'm at work and can't hear anything.
Blazing hot out there, but a really good turnout. Thousands of people. I did not see any other FReepers.
I had a handlettered sign that read "Israel Has The Right To Defend Itself" on one side and "www.freerepublic.com" on the other.
That woman is speaking at the rate of abotut 9,000 words per minute! Haha... Great caller though!
She was revved up!!!! Rush does help calm my nerves, some, but this all still scares the heck out of me.
She was really pumped. LOL! Did you get the URL for her blog?
Good news bump.
The caller also said she thinks this Israel/Hezbollah conflict is going to hurt the Democrats in November. I want them to get hurt for any reason, but if this helps to hurt them, I couldn't be happier.
I think I heard her say that Hillary Clinton was present and that one of the speakers was Eli Wiesel who said something to the effect "God bless President Bush". Did I misunderstand?
Thanks, you answered my question.
No, I think you heard her correctly. Hillary was there, but I think that she said that Hillary made a face when the Wiesel guy said "God bless President Bush". She said that she had a picture of her making the face on her blog. Would like to see that! I imagine that that is the only place you will see it, the MSN would never report it.
Its about damned time!!!
Maybe the public is FINALLY awakening!!
At 90 miles an hour, lol. Pretty excited woman.
I'm happy to see the pro-Israeli rallies, it must irritate the Iranian mullahs to no end.
No, I didnt catch the URL... I am going to check Limbaughs web page in an hour or so when he posts the top clips of the day... this ladies call should be on there tonight.
I'll come if free Jewish bagels are offered.... (:
Go Israel.....
I am proud of you, wideawake! If there are any FReepers in SW Washington willing to organize, I will join them in any future rallies. Anyone else?
GOD BLESS ISRAEL!
Good idea.
Good idea.
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