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The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) was proud to partner in organizing the “Bring Them Home” rally in New York City on Thursday to draw global attention to the plight of the 200 Israelis kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7.
The event — led by the Israeli-American Council (IAC) — drew thousands of people to Times Square to demonstrate solidarity with the families of the hostages.
What a powerful event in NYC! We were honored to partner in this initiative, where the faces of those held hostage in Gaza were showcased on billboards adorning over 20 buildings in Times Square.
A heartfelt thank you to @israeliamerican and everyone who attended, standing… pic.twitter.com/lGEEKGD250
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) October 19, 2023
Speakers included New York City Mayor Eric Adams, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan, Israeli Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism Michal Cotler-Wunsh, and IAC CEO and CAM Advisory Board member Elan Carr, among others, and Israeli singer Shiri Maimon performed several songs, including “Hatikvah,” the Israeli national anthem.
The crowd was also addressed by family members of two of the captives held by Hamas.
Carr said that the purpose of the rally was to “first of all, to comfort the broken, grieving families who have suffered unfathomable agony at the hands of these barbaric monsters of Hamas.”
“Make no mistake — we are also here to demand that the hostages be freed and to insist that Israel has the inalienable right to defend itself, and to defend itself completely and decisively, to the elimination of the genocidal threats facing its people,” he added.
I stood in Times Square to say:
The Senate passed a resolution affirming that we are unified in our support of the Israeli people and against Hamas.
We are doing everything we can to bring the hostages home.
And we will get Israel the help and resources it needs. pic.twitter.com/CTnYueb3ns
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 20, 2023
Electronic billboards around Times Square were illuminated with photos of the Israeli men, women, and children languishing in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
We take pride in our involvement in illuminating Times Square with the images of the 199 children, women, elderly, and men who were abducted by Hamas.
Join us by adding your name to the petition, which will be sent to heads of state worldwide calling on to release the hostages… pic.twitter.com/ujY0sp9xnV
— Sacha Roytman (@SachaRoytman) October 20, 2023
To sign CAM’s “Free the Hostages” petition, please visit: info.combatantisemitism.org/freethehostages
