Organizers of a pro-Israel rally held in Miami Thursday evening believe 3,000 people showed up to show support for the nation fighting Hamas in Gaza. The rally kicked off with a red alert siren signaling an incoming rocket and giving people just 15 seconds to get to safety.
A speaker said, "That is what life is like for millions of Israelis!"
The multi-faith rally was called “Miami Unites for Israel” and was held at the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center in North Miami Beach. Security and safety was a big deal at the event with heavy police presence and bomb sniffing dogs. And while multiple faiths were represented, many in attendance said the message was clear.
Maggie Sarner said, "Fighting terrorism is not just for the land of Israel; it’s for the whole world. Everybody needs to be free of Hamas.”
The fight is especially personal for Sarner who said her 18-year-old cousin was an Israeli soldier. Sarner said her cousin was protecting “the land of Israel…the Jewish people and he was protecting civilians in Gaza.”
Sgt. Dor Dery died on Monday protecting the tunnels Hamas uses to attack Israel.
Sarner said, "They don’t want any turmoil and all they get in return is rockets and terrorism, constant. It’s heartbreaking. It’s heartbreakling to know that my family is suffering in Israel on a daily basis."
Local
The rally featured a number of prominent leaders including Florida’s Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and the Consul General to Israel who had this to say about the latest cease fire agreement.
Chaim Shacham, Consul General of Israel to Florida said, "Israel has accepted and respected already six cease fires and Hamas has violated all of them. We certainly hope that this time the Hamas will accept the cease fire and we can move this confrontation in a more constructive fashion forward."
