Rally offers support for Israel

Against a backdrop of furling flags and frigid temperatures, an estimated 2,500 people gathered in Center City yesterday to light a fire for Israel.

Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, the rally at John F. Kennedy Plaza was organized in support of Israel's recent and controversial incursion into Gaza.

Unlike similar events held around the country last week, the hour-long gathering went off without incident. No arrests were made, no rocks thrown, no anti-Semitic obscenities hurled.

Supporters held signs that had such messages as "4,000 rockets from Gaza will not bring peace"; "Let Israel Defend Itself"; and "How would you like rockets thrown at your home?"

One young man in shorts and flip-flops wore a T-shirt that read, "If I were a suicide bomber, you'd be dead now."

The LOVE Park rally took place on a day when the United Nations suspended food deliveries to Gaza and the Red Cross accused Israel of blocking medical assistance after forces fired on aid workers, killing two.

In a surprise appearance, Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter told the crowd that Israel's attack of Gaza was justified because the country "has every right under international law to defend itself against rocket fire from Hamas."

The Republican's sentiments were echoed by virtually every speaker and drew a vocal reception from the audience, which included more than 500 students bused in from area Jewish day schools and colleges.

Dan Soler, a senior at Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees, asked his mother for permission to leave school early so he could attend the rally. The 17-year-old lived in Israel during his sophomore year as part of a school exchange.

"I really connected with it," he said. "It felt like I had never left home."

Since the attacks began Dec. 27, many of his friends there, including a former teacher, have been called up by the army, he said.

Outside the perimeter of the park, fenced off by about 20 Philadelphia police officers, about 50 pro-Palestinian demonstrators denounced Israel's actions. They carried large Palestinian flags and held signs that read: "Killing children is not a Jewish value" and "U.S. and Israel are the real terrorists." And they chanted: "Free, free Palestine, occupation is a crime."

Leonard Barrack, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, sponsor of the rally, said he was "happy to see the opposition back there."

"We live in a country where everyone has the right to express their opinions. I'm delighted to see some of the Palestinian flag-bearers in the back."

Other speakers were Daniel Kutner, consul general of Israel for the mid-Atlantic region; State Sen. Mike Stack; and State Reps. Babette Josephs and Josh Shapiro. Dave Frankel, formerly of 6ABC, served as master of ceremonies.

"The last time this many kids were out of school at noon, they were following Pat Burrell and the Phillies down Broad Street," Frankel said.

He told the crowd: "Israel is damned if it does [invade Gaza], doomed if it doesn't. We're here to say Israel is not doomed."

The final speaker at the rally was J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the local chapter of the NAACP. "This flag is my flag," he said, referring to the many Israeli banners being waved by the crowd.

"The black community and the Jewish community have been joined together for almost 200 years. . . . Israel is not alone. It will never be alone," he continued.

"It has friends all over the world."