Thousands gather in Sandy Springs to support Israel and the Jewish community

Caption

Thousands of people gathered at City Springs in Sandy Springs on Oct. 10, 2023, to show their support for Israel following deadly attacks in the Middle Eastern nation days earlier.

Credit: Sarah Kallis / GPB News

Over 2,000 people gathered near Atlanta on Tuesday night to show support for Israel and the Jewish community after Hamas militants' attacks killed hundreds in Israel.

Religious and political leaders took to the stage in front of thousands in Sandy Springs to grieve the hundreds of lives lost in Israel. 

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens condemned the attack, saying Israel "has the right to defend itself."

He reiterated the city's support for Israel. 

"We grieve with you and we pray with you and for all the innocent civilians who are suffering right now," he said. "We pray and grieve with all of them."

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is Jewish, released a statement on the attacks. He did not attend the rally because he was in Asia with a group of lawmakers. 

"“Fellow Georgians: We pray for the dead and wounded," Ossoff said in the statement. "We pray for the hostages. We pray for all innocents and civilians of all faiths and nationalities who face mortal danger, suffering, and displacement  — especially for the safety of babies, children, and pregnant women. We pray for the young men and women of the Israel Defense Forces. We pray for Israel’s leaders that they may act with wisdom and skill."

Atlanta resident Elazar Huisman was one of many who showed up at the rally. He lived in Israel for a year, so the attacks especially hit home for him. 

“Every single day it feels like I wake up to a nightmare, you know, with every — every news that comes in, I want to cry," he said, adding that he's strengthened "from seeing my people and the people around us and other communities unite together and stand in the face of terrorism."

Israel responded to Hamas' attacks with a siege of Gaza and heavy bombing. Israeli authorities say that over 900 Israelis have been killed in the attacks. Palestinian authorities say more than 600 people in Gaza have been killed since Israel declared war on Gaza.

The United Nations' António Guterres said that about 200,000 people in Gaza have fled their homes and warned of a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsening due to the siege. He also called for a stop to the violence, which he said comes from decades-long conflict. 

President Joe Biden pledged support to Israel, saying the U.S. is sending military aid.