Bellevue Rally Shows Love for Israel
Nearly 300 lovers of Israel converged on the busy corner of NE 8th St and Bellevue Way in Bellevue, WA this afternoon and The Mike Report was there.
Shoppers in the retail heart of Bellevue were pleasantly surprised this afternoon to find all four corners of the intersection bordering Bellevue square flooded with a buoyant mob of Israel supporters. Israeli and American flags fluttered in the warm breeze as signs declaring “Israel wants Peace!” , “We stand with Israel and “Free Gaza from Hamas” were held aloft facing the busy intersection. As motorists honked their approval several passers by joined the sidewalk celebration of the Jewish state.
Participants represented the entire spectrum of the pro-Israel community, while mostly Jewish with many Israelis present, there were several Christian supporters of Israel enthusiastically joining in. With Seattle’s one and only outdoor rally for Israel having occurred almost two weeks earlier, the sentiment of virtually every person we spoke with was that they felt an urgent need to show support for Israel in a public tangible way.
Today’s Rally in Bellevue was organized by an informal coalition of Israel supporters with logistical assistance provided by Rob Jacobs of StandWithUs and was not widely publicized.
Please enjoy these photos of today’s very public, unqualified, unequivocal, pluralistic show of love for the Jewish State. To our brothers and sisters in Israel, please know that the Puget Sound Region loves you and stands with you in this difficult time.
Loved the attractive pin wheel at the opening…wholesome, positive and uplifting…safe, family oriented rally…loved the car honks of support. The video of this pro-Israel rally should be linked and should go viral so as to showcase how a rally is to be conducted in our free civilized countries. (I did not see any law enforcement personnel in the video shots, and if they were there, they were observers.) This rally exemplifies the standard that is expected from all those who have not yet assimilated into their host free country from London to Paris, Calgary to Chicago. It is imperative that those who have opposing rallies learn from this video what peace and good will looks like; even when on an opposing side this civilized standard must be maintained.
I returned last night after a 28 hour flight from Israel.
It’s not for everybody to spent a vacation in a war zone, and when landing at the airport been shown the bomb shelter. Well it added pizazz to my stay.. Heard sirens and explosions while sitting at a terrace at the waterfront surrounded by young kids carrying their rifles and ammo belts. Very Kafkaesque!
Was at a wedding at Kibbutz Yagur for my niece who is an artillery observer for a 155mm battalion. She got a special dispention from her colonel to get married that day. Half of her guests had been recalled the week before. But they still danced the whole night away.
The malls and restaurant were full and the planes from Europe came fully loaded with tourists. At the airport, hundreds of teenagers, all with same t-shirts returned after a two week stint as volunteers supporting the IDF. Some young lady from the outskirts of Paris was telling how she drove a truck for the IDF.
Ha! having my twenties back…
Bob Herschkowitz, Bellevue resident since 1969.
Great comment Robert, Mazal Tov on the wedding and thanks for sharing your experience,
Mike
Thanks Clare!
Thank you, Seattle, for showing your support and love for Israel. Thank you, Mike, for these photos.
One nation, one people, one heart. We ache for the horrific and needless pain being inflicted on Israel and Palestinians by the murderous Hamas. Wishing you and yours and all of Am Yisrael a true Shabbat Shalom.
Amen!
Thanks Clare!