By: Fern Sidman
Thousands of supporters of Israel, both young and old gathered today in Manhattan to celebrate Israel’s 61st birthday. A sea of blue and white filled fashionable 5th Avenue, as scores of synagogues, Jewish community centers and schools representing New York, New Jersey, Long Island, Connecticut, etc. proudly carried thousands of Israeli flags while paying tribute to the eternal Jewish state. Shouts of “Am Yisroel Chai” (the people of Israel live) echoed through the East Side of Manhattan as marchers paid tribute to the 100th anniversary of the city of Tel Aviv.
Another theme displayed prominently at the parade was the campaign to bring kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit home. Close to three years ago, Cpl Shalit was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and according to information provided by intrepid Middle East correspondent, Aaron Klein, in his new book entitled, “The Late Great State of Israel”, Cpl Shalit may have been held at the Hamas stronghold in Gaza known as the Islamic University. Wearing t-shirts and sporting buttons saying, “Have you seen Gilad Shalit” and “Bring Gilad Shalit Home” Jews and other supporters of Israel gathered in Central Park for the Israel Day concert that was held in tribute of Gilad Shalit. At this event, Noam Shalit, the father of Gilad, addressed the audience of thousands appealing to them to never give up hope of having Gilad released and to continue their zealous campaign of petitioning the Israeli government to continue it’s efforts to seek his safe return.
Also on hand were a small contingent of anti-Israel protestors whose signs and chants reflected their thinly veiled attempt to promulgate their essential message of rabid Jew hatred. Labeling Israel as an “apartheid state” and calling on the US to end all economic and military aid to the Jewish state, they also called for the tot “liberation of Palestine” while excoriating Israelis as “Judeo Nazis”. Other anti-Semitic signs conjured up images of the libelous propaganda once espoused by Adolf Hitler during the Nazi era. “Close Guantanamo Bay and Re-Open Auschwitz” read one sign, while another read, “Lock Up Your Kids: Pedophile Rabbis Are Everywhere”. Members of the Revolution Muslim web site were on hand as well, carrying a banner that read, “Every Supporter of Israel is an Enemy Combatant”.
