About 200 people, including Koreans and Israelis, gathered
“Israelis can’t go back to the way they used to be.”
Appeal to “We need your unwavering support”
Tears while playing the violin… Delivery of flower bouquets
As the war between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas intensifies, Israelis gathered in downtown Seoul and held a rally to appeal for support.
The ‘Korea-Israel Friendship Association’ and the ‘Israel Forum’ held a rally in support of Israel solidarity in front of Dongwha Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul from around 11 am on this day and requested the international community’s support for Israel.
Not only Koreans but also Israelis residing in Korea participated in the rally that day, with the organizers estimating that about 200 people gathered. They filled the sidewalk even before the event began, holding signs such as “We support Israel” and “Hamas is IS” and Israeli flags.
Israeli Ambassador to Korea Akiva Tor, who appeared wearing a black suit and kippah (a traditional hat worn by Jews), said, “Israel is strong, and more importantly, we have friends.”
“The goal of our struggle is to make sure that Hamas is no longer a threat to Israel,” he said, raising his voice, adding, “I hope the war does not expand, but if we have to fight, we will fight and we will win.”
Joey Sakurai, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Korea, who attended on behalf of U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg, said, “Terrorism cannot be justified. “We will always support Israel and we will always be together.”
Israeli Consul Liat Shoham, who took the microphone, said, “I, my family, and my friends are not in a perfect state (after the surprise attack by Hamas),” and added, “We are hurt and broken, but we will find our way again and build our lives.” He said.
Former Minister of Education Hwang Woo-yeo, who serves as the president of the Friendship Association, said, “The current situation is not war, but terrorism,” and added, “We pray for peace in Israel and condemn the atrocities of Hamas.”
Zoey Tabak (26), an Israeli who attended the rally with her friend that day, said, “Israel is a small country, so if you cross a bridge, everyone knows you.” “I’m most afraid that it will come up,” he confessed.
He cried and said, “Israelis will never be able to go back to the way they were before after seeing so many horrific scenes, such as babies being beheaded and house floors covered in blood.” Still, he said, “I was grateful that many Koreans came out to Gwanghwamun and joined us in this situation.”
Participants ended the rally by shouting slogans such as ‘Hamas must stop its atrocities and immediately return the Israeli hostages’ and ‘We all stand with Israel and pray for peace in Israel.’ Even after the event ended, they stayed and encouraged each other by taking pictures and hugging before dispersing.
The police deployed two companies to prepare for any emergency, but there were no physical clashes during the rally.
Meanwhile, according to major foreign media outlets, the Palestinian armed faction Hamas fired 5,000 rockets toward Israel in 20 minutes at around 6:30 a.m. on the 7th (local time), the Sabbath, and infiltrated hundreds of people into Israel. In response, Israel declared an end to Hamas’ rule in Gaza and launched a counterattack, including retaliatory airstrikes, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties.
As the situation intensifies, related rallies are occurring one after another in Korea. On the 11th, Muslims, including Palestinians living in Korea, held a large-scale rally in downtown Seoul. They said, “Palestine’s resistance is justified” and urged “Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.