As death tolls climbed in the violent clash between Hezbollah guerillas and the Israeli military Tuesday, Baltimore?s Jewish community and lawmakers rallied downtown in a pro-Israel demonstration.
The protest at Baltimore?s Holocaust Memorial attracted about 500 people, who waved signs reading “Baltimore Stands With Israel,” and “Homes Are Not Targets,” in reference to civilian casualties.
State and federal politicians including Gov. Robert Ehrlich, Baltimore Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Martin O?Malley and U.S. Congressman Ben Cardin said Israel not only has the right to defend itself, but the responsibility.
“There are a couple of people back in the street who don?t seem to get it,” Ehrlich said, directing his comment to counter-
protesters lined up along Gay and Lombard streets. “Let?s make them hear us. No cease-fire with terrorists. It should be common sense.”
Ehrlich said the Shiite militant group is as much America?s enemy as Israel?s, citing the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, when 240 American servicemen were killed. O?Malley, who cultivated a sister-city partnership with the Israeli city of Ashkelon after visiting the country last year, echoed Ehrlich?s comments.
The rally, originally planned as a 30-minute event, stretched for more than an hour as lawmakers and Jewish leaders took to the podium. Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, several county and city council members, and state delegates also attended.
A solution to the conflict ? which has claimed the lives of at least 391 people in Lebanon and 42 in Israel according to The Associated Press ? lies in sanctions against countries that fund terrorist groups, Cardin said, naming Syria and Iran.
Hezbollah must return two kidnapped Israeli soldiers and another captured by the Hamas organization before diplomacy can begin, said Rafael Harpaz, spokesman for the Embassy of Israel.
The two-week war has ravaged Beirut while media continue to report new residents moving to Israel. Owings Mills resident Eva Freedman, whose son, nieces and nephews are fighting with the Israeli Army ? and whose mother was a Holocaust survivor ? said that reflects the country?s tradition of strength.
“You fight or you lay down and die,” Freedman said. “We?re not going willingly.”
