IRVING (1080 KRLD)- Hundreds of people attended an event in Irving Sunday to show support for Israel. The rally, called "Texas Stands with Israel," opened with prayers and the crowd singing the National Anthem.
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Members of different faiths attended, with organizers saying the event was set up because "We must not remain silent! Stand against evil!"
"For too long in this country, we have kept silent, for the last 50 years since the Yom Kippur War," said Rabbi Jak Rubin, director of Olami Dallas. "The pro-Palestinians have sold an agenda we must cower in fear if we dare stand up for Israel."
Organizers say they received calls, texts and emails from people who "hate Israel, people who hate the Jewish people." They say they rejected the idea of cancelling the event. Instead, Dallas Police, Irving Police and private security kept a visible presence inside the hotel and in the parking lot.
"We're not going to cave," said Benji Gerson, founder of Dallas Jewish Conservatives. "We're not going to cower to these cowards. We're not going to hide."
"Hamas got everything they wanted and more," Olami Dallas' Rubin said. "They want to strike terror and make every single one of us fear for our lives. They've done it."
Senate Ted Cruz recorded a video played during the event.
"On Saturday, we saw the largest act of mass murder on Jews in a single day since the Holocaust," he said. "We are seeing death squads going from house-to-house murdering every resident, deliberately targeting civilians, targeting the elderly, killing women, killing children."
Israeli authorities have said Hamas gunmen have killed more than 1,400 service members and civilians. They say Hamas had also taken 199 hostages.
At the event Sunday, Eagle Mountain International Church Senior Pastor Terri Pearsons said Kenneth Copeland Ministries had spent more than 20 years "building bridges" with different faiths.
"When this awful attack came, we were ready to step in and partner any way we can but most especially to pray," Pearsons said. "I've learned much from many rabbis about scripture and about prayer."
Fellow Christian Charles Pulman said the war was not about the politics of protecting two States or the rights of Palestinians.
"This is about the genocidal campaign to wipe out Jews and Israel," he said. "You need to tell that to your friends and acquaintances."
Last week, the Texas House and Senate both passed resolutions recognizing Israel's right to defend its citizens and reaffirming the state's support for Israel.
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