WASHINGTON D.C. (WWJ) - Hundreds of Jewish community members from Metro Detroit expressed their shock at being stranded at a Washington D.C. airport after bus drivers lined up to take them to a pro-Israel rally allegedly walked off the job on Tuesday.
The Jewish Federation of Detroit told WWJ in an email that over 900 Detroiters hoping to attend the 1 p.m. March of Israel event at the National Mall had flown to Dulles International Airport, but some were stranded for hours on two planes after buses scheduled to take them to the event in the city never showed up.
"We have learned from the bus company that this was caused by a deliberate and malicious walk-off of drivers," the federation said.
One stranded attendee, Jonah Seinfeld Chopp, told Fox News that they were on the plane for over two and a half hours with federation members stating that the bus drivers were refusing to drive them to the rally.
While buses did eventually arrive, Chopp described the incident as "very upsetting." He added that those in the group turned to showing "support for Israel from where we could."
Some people reported that they were stuck on a charter plane for more than seven. hours and they weren't sure when they'd be able to fly home
As reported by Fox News, an owner of a bus company that did arrive to take some of the group members said that her company was contacted by a broker, and thinks the broker is behind the mess.
She believes the broker is "making an excuse for failing to contract enough buses to get 1,000 people to the rally."
The federation released the following statement about the incident: "While we are deeply dismayed by this disgraceful action, our resolve to proudly stand in solidarity with the people of Israel, to condemn antisemitism and to demand the return of every hostage held by Hamas has never been greater."
The Jewish Federations of North America, a non-profit organization and the organizer for the rally, said the event was the largest pro-Israel gathering in U.S. history.
An estimated 290,000 people were in attendance, the group said via Fox News, and another 250,000 watched online.
