Pro-Israel Rally Draws Thousands To Santa Monica Boulevard

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Thousands turned out for a pro-Israel demonstration in Beverly Hills Monday night in a show of support for the country following the deadly attack by Hamas this weekend.

The rally took place at Beverly Gardens Park at Beverly Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard. The event spilled onto the boulevard and impacted traffic at one point. Demonstrators waved Israeli flags and carried signs with messages like "Israel's 9/11" and "Hamas stop using human shields."

One man carried a large sign with photos of a woman with the message "kidnapped by Hamas." At least 100 people, including some Americans, have been kidnapped and taken hostage.

Israel formally declared war on Sunday after Hamas leveled an attack on southern Israeli towns. Officials say the war's death toll had already risen to nearly 1,600 on both sides as of Monday night as Israel increased airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

“We want to come together, we want to be together, we want to hug each other. We want to comfort each other at this time of just heart-wrenching grief,” Elan Carr, CEO of the Israeli American Council, told KTLA at the Beverly Hills rally. “But the other reason is that we are here to stand unequivocally with Israel and to stand for Israel’s inalienable right to defend itself fully, completely and decisively and that’s critical.”

The LA chapter of the Israeli American Council was the organizer of Monday's event, which was one of several held locally since Saturday's attack.

The Beverly Hills Police Department said they've been ramping up patrols around Jewish institutions since the weekend's attack.

“We are appalled by this act of terrorism by Hamas against the citizens and civilian communities in Israel,” Beverly Hills Mayor Julian Gold said in a statement. “We call on President Biden and Congress to act swiftly in support of Israel. Additionally, we hope all peace-loving nations of the world and the United Nations, will condemn this senseless violence. Our hearts are with the people of Israel as we stand together and support Israel defending itself and condemn this heinous act.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.