About 1,000 people gathered on Dallas City Hall Plaza Wednesday afternoon for a rally supporting Israel. Among those in the crowd were members of Congregation Beth El Binah, Oak Lawn’s LGBT synagogue.
Gov. Rick Perry was the first speaker and received a fairly warm welcome from the mostly Jewish crowd, a crowd that predominantly votes Democratic.
Roberta Clark, community director of the Anti-Defamation League in Dallas, said this was an international issue that transcends party lines.
A Christian pastor who said, “I support Israel,” got louder cheers. The only mix of boos and cheers came when one speaker read a message from Sen. Ted Cruz.
Members of the LGBT community who attended had similar reasons for being at City Hall.
“I’m Jewish,” said Beth El Binah member Roz Tuerk. “I support Israel.”
“I’m here to show our community’s support,” said David Moskowitz.
Mark Kline used just one word to say why he attended. “Support,” he said,
Gay activist Geoff Staples said, “I’m here because Israel deserves our support despite Netanyahu.”
Netanyahu is Israel’s conservative prime minister.
Staples pointed out that while Perry never mentioned President Obama, his speech was littered with veiled barbs. Among the governor’s comments were references like, “We can’t have a government that is ambivalent.”
“Blame Obama without saying his name to a largely Democratic crowd,” Staples said.
Few protesters attended. Two people carried signs that read, “Stop killing children” and “Dignity for all.”
