‘We are one people’: Thousands of Floridians support Israel at rally in Miami Beach

Nearly 3,000 South Floridians chanted, prayed and sang Hebrew songs in solidarity with Israel at a rally at the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach Tuesday night. The event was held in the wake of a deadly attack in Israel that’s reverberated across the world.

During the rally, hosted by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and joined by 36 other community groups, Jews and non-Jews held signs reading “We stand with Israel” and “Stop Hamas now” just days after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel, killing more than 1,200 civilians as of Wednesday.

The rally began with a choir of cantors from various South Florida synagogues singing the American and Israeli national anthems.

“It’s unbelievable that after 80 years, were still struggling to find peace in our land,” said Ariel Bentata, board chair of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. He mentioned President Biden’s remarks from earlier in the day.

“Nobody could have said it better: ‘This is an act of sheer evil. A violation of every code of human morality,’” Bentata said, quoting the president.

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U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson and Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez were among the Florida politicians who spoke to the energized crowd, a sea of people wearing blue and white and waving Israeli flags.

“This cannot continue,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in her speech about the situation now unfolding in Israel. “The darkest moments must fortify us. That is what has always happened with our people.”

Cava spoke about her own family ties to Israel, citing community and strength as a way through the tragedy. “We must not let hope die,” she said.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, in his speech, first thanked law enforcement for keeping everyone safe. The police presence was heavy, with security guards checking bags upon entry to the rally and police officers stationed on top of nearby roofs.

“This is the greatest honor for our city,” Gelber said about hosting the rally. “I am Dan Gelber and I am a Zionist. I’ve always thought it’s important for public officials to say that loudly and proudly.”

As he stood in front of the memorial’s main sculpture, an outstretched arm tattooed with a number from Auschwitz, Gelber likened the seriousness and cruelty of the Hamas attacks to that of the Holocaust.

“We proudly support Israel, period. Its right to defend itself, period. Its right to exist, period,” Gelber told the cheering crowd. “We can no longer be the scapegoats of people who hate us.”

‘We are at war’

The assault on Israel from Gaza, the narrow strip of densely populated land between Israel and Egypt that’s fraught with violence, has killed over 1,200 civilians, including 155 soldiers, as of Wednesday, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in decades, local officials have said. At least 14 Americans were killed and 20 or more were missing, White House officials said Tuesday.

The attack involved aerial, sea and ground operations, and was initiated by the Palestinian group, Hamas, which the United States and European Union have designated a terrorist organization. In response to the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared, “We are at war.”

Since Saturday, Israel announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, restricting all residents’ access to many necessities, including food, water and gas, Israeli officials said. On Wednesday, the death toll in Gaza climbed to at least 1,055 Palestinians, including 260 children and 230 women, according to reporting from the Associated Press.

The war is expected to escalate.

Miami Beach has deep roots to Israel

Whether it’s a friend living in Tel Aviv or relative fighting in the Israel Defense Forces, many attendees at the rally had direct connections to Israel.

Surfside residents Miriam Bimblich and George Minski were in Israel a few months ago for their wedding.

“The spirit that we saw there, so much unity, so much support, so much love for the land,” Bimblich said “It’s unbelievable that this happened now. We were in shock.”

The couple said they’re worried about their family and friends in Israel. Everyone knows someone who has lost someone close, she said.

“Not being here today and not having a huge crowd would have sent the wrong message,” said Minski, who was born and raised in Miami Beach. “The message that had to be sent was a message of unity, strength and compassion.”

Miami Beach resident Philip Namiech, 54, moved from France over 20 years ago to escape antisemitism he was experiencing in Europe.

“As they say, we are one people,” said Namiech, who has family in Israel. “The least we can do is come here and express our solidarity. The support of the state of Florida for Israel is amazing.”

The rally remained peaceful throughout the evening. As the crowd began to disperse at around 8 p.m, Debbie Heber lingered with her granddaughter, who was draped in an Israeli flag.

“This hatred is unthinkable, unimaginable,” said Heber, who’s a teacher at Scheck Hillel Community School, a private Jewish day school in North Miami Beach. “It’s going to spread throughout the world if we don’t eradicate it right now.”

Heber’s granddaughter, Aviella Kunis, is a student at the Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach. She said she’s experienced bullying due to her Jewish identity.

“I came today mostly because I know what it’s like to be Jewish and for people not to like that,” said Aviella, 14. “It was really nice seeing that so many people were here just to support Israel and to have love for the country like I love my country.”

This report was created with philanthropic support from Christian, Muslim and Jewish funders in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all work.