What's happened
Tens of thousands of people joined the 'March for Israel' rally in Washington, DC to show support for Israel's war against Hamas and call for the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Why it matters
The rally reflects the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as the divisions within the US over Israel's actions. It highlights the significance of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impact it has on international relations and domestic politics.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera emphasizes the controversy surrounding political analyst Van Jones' call for a ceasefire, which drew jeers from the crowd. The Times focuses on the demand for the release of hostages and growing reservations within the Biden administration. NY Post highlights the massive turnout and support for Israel, describing it as the largest pro-Israel gathering in history. Axios provides a brief overview of the rally and the heightened security measures in place.
How we got here
The rally comes after several large pro-Palestinian protests across America and growing reservations among members of the Biden administration over the conduct of the war.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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James Michael Johnson is an American attorney, politician, and former talk radio host serving as the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 4th congressional district.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.