Tens of thousands of people, many of whom traveled from around the United States, rallied today in support of Israel, which two weeks ago launched a major military offensive against the Palestinians.
With its slogan "We stand by Israel," the "National Solidarity Rally for Israel" - the first since the Israeli offensive began March 29th - brought the message to the steps of the Capitol Building, home to the US Congress.
US Undersecretary of Defense Mr Paul Wolfowitz told the crowd that US President George Bush "wants you to know that he stands in solidarity with you.
His words were interrupted by cries of "No more Arafat."
Though there were no official crowd estimates, organizers said earlier that some 20,000 people were expected at the event.
"We want to show the people of Israel that we stand with them at this difficult time when so many have been victims of terrorist outrages, including scores of suicide bombings and attacks, which in the month of March alone took more than 100 lives," said publisher Mr Mortimer Zuckerman, executive director of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, speaking before the event.
Speakers included Israeli former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is trying to explain the Israeli position in the United States, Nobel peace laureate Mr Elie Wiesel, former New York mayor Mr Rudolph Giuliani and many US Jewish leaders.
The rally comes as the United States moves to boost its profile in trying to mediate to achieve a ceasefire in the Middle East. President George Bush meanwhile had called on Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon to pull his troops out of occupied Palestinian towns.
AFP