Thousands of people from Philadelphia descend on DC for March for Israel

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Tens of thousands of people, including buses full of people from the Philadelphia area, descended on the nation's capital Tuesday in support of Israel. This, as the war with Hamas is now in its 6th week.

Dozens of buses departed from Philadelphia en route to Washington D.C. in an effort to encourage the Biden administration's continued support for Israel.

"I think part of our message is that Jews in Israel feel vulnerable and lonely, and we're here to show that American Jewry stands behind them to support them," said Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig, who will be among the many in D.C. Tuesday.

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Rosensweig said the Jewish people have a deep historical connection to the land and that is one of many reasons he said around 300 members from his synagogue in Lower Merion are heading to the nation's capital.

An estimated 40,000 to 60,000 people were expected to attend the rally. Overall, the event drew in nearly 300,000 people.

The event was designated a level 1 security event, which is the highest rating of risk assessment and is the same level the Super Bowl gets as a comparison.

According to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, a total of 44 buses left the Philadelphia region Tuesday morning. The organization said 16 of those buses left from area schools.

Hilary Levine, associate director of the American Jewish Committee of Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, traveled to be at the "March for Israel."

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"It was powerful. It was moving. It was emotional," she told Action News. "I think I just felt so much love and such a sense of community, and messages of just peace and hope."

Levine said she returned to the Philadelphia area with a sense of pride in her Jewish heritage and a feeling of support.

"There were high-level elected officials who spoke from both sides of the aisle, which I think now more than ever sends an incredibly powerful message," Levine explained. "I think it's something we really need to hear and see today."

At the Katz Jewish Community Center in Cherry Hill, buses returned from the event filled with attendees who said the experience was incredibly heartfelt.

"The best way to describe today is incredibly somber but incredibly meaningful," said David Snyder, a member of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey.

It was really surreal, energizing, for this one cause," added Sabrina and Danny Spector from Cherry Hill.

Many are continuing to call for a ceasefire.

"Not on our watch will we stand silently by as our colleagues and the president authorize more bombs to Israel but Band-Aids to Gaza," said Rep. Summer Lee, (D) Pennsylvania.

ABC News gained rare access into a children's hospital in Gaza, which Israel said was used to shield Hamas fighters.

"We are bound by our faith to demand a ceasefire now, to demand an end to the violence now," added Rep. Cori Bush, (D) Missouri.

Faith leaders, activists, and community members rallied outside the Old City office of Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman Monday, who is a vocal supporter of Israel's fight against Hamas.

The American Friends Service Committee organized the "Day of Action."

They are calling on the Democrats, as well as other members of Congress, to stop funding the Israeli military.

Participants also want Congress to publicly support an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access to Gaza.