Thousands of Jews are expected to march in New York City Sunday under the banner “No Hate. No Fear.” A similar march will take place in Jerusalem with hundreds expected to attend.The events come in the wake of a series of violent attacks against Jews in New York and New Jersey, including a stabbing attack over Hanukkah that left five people injured, one critically.The New York march is organized by the UJA-Federation of New York, together with the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, the Anti-Defamation League of New York, the American Jewish Committee of New York and the New York Board of Rabbis. As of Saturday night Israel time, some 2,100 people were listed as “going” on the main Facebook page for the event and another 5,300 had expressed “interest.”Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency, Isaac Herzog said: “Sunday’s solidarity rally in Jerusalem will send a message of strength to our sisters and brothers in New York as they set out to proudly march across the Brooklyn Bridge. We will not stand for this hatred of our people and are united, as one people, in the fight against antisemitism.”“When antisemitism strikes our community, we stand up and stand together,” the Facebook page reads. “We will march through our streets — proud, united, and strong. The 1.5 million Jews of our great city and region will not stand down. We will not be intimidated.“We invite New Yorkers of every background to stand with us and say no to hate and no to fear,” the organizers’ statement concludes.Participants will gather in Foley Square and march from lower Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge to Cadman Plaza, culminating in a rally in Columbus Park.Non-Jews are also expected to take part in the march, as well. The Facebook page lists dozens of interfaith and community partners, including the Hindu Temple Society of North America, the National LGBTQ Task Force and a number of pastors and reverends. City and statewide officials and civic leaders will also be present.The Israeli march is being organized by the Jewish Agency for Israel, the World Zionist Organization and the Anti-Defamation League.“The Israeli solidarity event is intended to send a message of support to US Jews, especially following the most recent attack in Monsey,” event organizers wrote in a press release.The Jerusalem rally will begin at 4 p.m. outside the National Institutions Building on King George Street in Jerusalem. Some 500 Israelis are expected to participate. Chairman of the Jewish Agency Isaac Herzog and World Zionist Organization deputy chairman Yaakov Hagoel will speak."In times of crisis, the State of Israel is used to lovingly receiving the unrestricted support of Diaspora Jewry," Hagoel said Saturday. "Today, from the capital of the Jewish people, we stand in solidarity with Diaspora Jewry and say together, 'We are not afraid! We are here to inspire the world!'"Hagoel said that the strength of the Jewish people is in its unity."Raise your head with Jewish pride," he continued. "Hatred stops here."Herzog added that, "Sunday’s solidarity rally in Jerusalem will send a message of strength to our sisters and brothers in New York... We will not stand for this hatred of our people.”In preparation for the New York march, organizers created graphics to be posted on social media with the hashtags #JewishandProud, #StandTogether and #NoHateNoFear, which were widely shared over the weekend.
Also, the New York Times published an op-ed in support of the rally, noting that more than half of the 421 hate crimes reported in the city in 2019 were directed at Jews. It called the march “a chance for people of all faiths and backgrounds to show critical support for New York’s Jewish communities.“Jews are being attacked on the streets of New York,” the editorial said. “New Yorkers can’t stand for that. What is called for now is a mass show of solidarity and rejection of antisemitism, which is among the oldest, most insidious hatreds on the planet.”The editorial noted that thousands marched in France last year to protest a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents.“How beautiful would it be to see thousands of people, Jews and non-Jews alike, walking arm-in-arm through the streets of Brooklyn?” the editorial said.Antisemitic incidents increased significantly in 2019 in New York City. Through September, according to the New York Police Department, there were 163 reported incidents — an increase of 50 percent from that period the previous year. Many of the attacks have been against Orthodox Jews.JTA contributed to this report.
