By Netanella Refael

Pro-Israel demonstrators gathered in New York City on March 27, 2011 at the Israeli Consulate to show support for victims of terror in Israel.

The consulate, located on 42^nd street and 2^nd Ave., was a major scene as 200 people attended to support Israel’s right to protect its citizens against Arab terror. A memorial service was also held for the victims of the most recent terror attacks from the past two weeks- the five members of the Fogel family from the town of Itamar, and Mary Jane Gardner, a UK citizen from Yad Hashmona, who was killed in the Jerusalem bus station bombing.

Hillary Markowitz, the main rally organizer from an organization called AMCHA, started the rally off by naming the victims who were injured in the Jerusalem attack. Markowitz then asked, “Where is the outrage? Where is the outcry? Where is President Obama? We are here to say that the Jews will stay in Israel. And we will not sit by quietly!”

The event was co-sponsored by many different Jewish organizations that worked together the make the rally possible. Along with AMCHA, the organizations included: Jewish International Connection NY, Z-Street, Coalition for Jewish Concerns, the Zionist Organization of America, Americans for a Safe Israel, Russian American Jewish Experience, Fuel For Truth, IsraAmerica, AmbassaDor, Dor Chadash, Standwithus, and the Human Rights Coalition Against Radical Islam.

Demonstrators of all ages held up Israeli and American flags and various signs stating, ‘We pray for the security of our brethren in Israel,’ ‘Stop Palestinian terror rockets from Israel,’ ‘ We stand in solidarity with Israel,’ and ‘President Obama enforce a ‘no fly’ zone against Palestinian terror rockets from Gaza.’

One woman held a sign that drew much attention from passer-bys – ‘Jews want peace, Arab want pieces.’

The mayor of Itamar, Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith and his wife Leah later led the group through a series of prayers for the Israel Defense Force and the land of Israel. “The soldiers in the IDF risk their lives every day to protect the citizens of Israel. They need our prayers,” said Rabbi Goldsmith.

Leah Goldsmith, who was born in Brooklyn, then got up to speak, "Itamar is on a mountain. To the west we can see the skyscrapers of Tel Aviv, and to the east, we see the Jordan Valley. Do you want us, or Hamas, on that mountain?”

She went on to say, “We are at war when people come on Shabbat to slaughter men, women, and children. President Obama has asked the Israeli government to remove the soldiers from the Tapuach junction near us, which protected the Jerusalem-Shechem road. So you got the butchering of a family, then a bombing at a bus stop because the White House thinks that soldiers checking Arabs is a human rights violation."

Rabbi Avi Weiss, of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, addressed the Palestinian Authority specifically saying, "Israel wants real peace. You must be a real partner. Don't speak with a forked tongue one way to the western media, and one way to your own people." Rabbi Weiss then demanded that the PA "stop hate in the media and in the schools. Children are being taught to hate and to kill.”

“Mr. Obama, hear us very well. If you strengthen Israel, you strengthen America! If you weaken Israel, you weaken America! Everyone must do their share and not wait for someone else to act. We stand out here for ourselves, but we stand with you the people of Itamar,” said Rabbi Weiss. Demonstrators then chanted, “We stand with you!”

Prayers were then said for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was kidnapped and has since then been held captive for almost five years by Hamas.

Markowitz reminded participants that there are many ways to support Israel and that they should go out and by B.I.G. (Buy Israeli Goods) products to counter the anti-Israel boycotts. She also encouraged participants to visit the mock art show in Washington Square Park this week, sponsored by Birthright for Israel and Artists 4 Israel. The art display includes a bomb shelter, which shows what happens during a terrorist attack through sound, video and public participation.

The rally ended with the unified crowd singing of the national anthem of both Israel and the United States.