KFOX14 News: Solidarity with Israel Gathering report
El Paso community stands in solidarity with Israel amid devastating attacks
Jonathan Mejia | Mon, October 9th 2023, 8:51 PM MDT
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — The El Paso community comes together to stand in solidarity with Israel.
City leaders, members of Congress, and El Pasoans voiced their concerns.
Many in the community were emotional and said the dramatic images coming out of Israel are devastating to watch and those with family members in Israel said it's a time of uncertainty.
"It is horrendous, it is truly inhumane, I consider it an unprovoked attack there's no justification at all," Scott Stevens, the President of the Temple of Mount Sinai, said.
Many showed up to the community event held at the temple and shared the same feelings.
"There's never any justification for times like this. Men, women, and children have fallen victim and they're still hostages being held," Marsi Wagman said.
El Pasoans reacted to the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas' attack on Israel over the weekend.
Hamas launched an attack from Gaza.
They fired thousands of rockets, breaching the country's borders, killing dozens of Israelis, and wounding hundreds more.
"My heart goes out to all of us. It's a frightening time for all of us and everybody is on the line of fire right now," Marla Cohen, the Executive Director for the Jewish Federation of El Paso and Las Cruces, said.
It's also a time of worry for those who have family in Israel.
Wagman's high school friend's cousin died in Israel.
"We can only break down and cry. What else can we do? These people are gone. They will never come back," Wagman said.
El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser, County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar attended the meeting.
"We will get through this together as we have gotten through so many tragic events before but the time of prayer for peace is now," Escobar said.
Peace is what many said they wanted not only now but in the days, weeks, and months to come.
"We all need to come together and support Israel," Stevens said.
Many compared this attack on Israel to that of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and said the timing of this comes 50 years to the date of the Yom Kippur War and during the celebration of the end of Jewish holidays.
Below you can watch the full gathering hosted by The Jewish Federation of El Paso at the Temple Mount Sinai located at 4408 North Stanton Street: