In Doylestown, warnings about anti-Semitism as drive-by hecklers insult Israel

More than 100 people gathered on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Doylestown to support Israel, now engaged in a war with Hamas in Gaza, and imploring American leaders to unwavering in support of the Jewish state amid growing anti-Semitism, especially on U.S. college campuses.

"There's definitely been anti-Christian sentiment, but more-so it's the anti-Semitic sentiment that is shocking, and how ugly and how violent it's gotten in this country," said Ellen Bowman Cox, who arranged the street rally. "We feel that it's been bubbling just beneath the surface."

Now, it's exploding on college campuses and social media.

"This is the time when we Christians need to take a stand because (Israel) is our Holy Land, too," said Bowman, an Irish-Catholic who heads the Doylestown Republican Club. "If we don't stand up for the Jews, the Christians are next. We're next. Also, this is our country, and we don't allow -- shouldn't allow -- this kind of bigotry, this anti-Semitism to grow unchecked. But now we see it here in CBSD."

Bowman referred to the Central Bucks School District, which is under investigation by the federal Office of Civil Rights after a complaint was filed alleging harassment of Jews.

Central Bucks anti-Semitic complaint New discrimination complaint against CBSD alleges failure to address Jewish harassment

"What is going to happen next? Will we see violence at our local (Jewish-owned) businesses? We must say no right now. No one should be afraid because of how they worship, and no one should be a target because of their religion," she said.

"It's easy to say, 'Oh, I stand with Israel. But we're actually out here getting wet for Israel," she said.

Rabbi Mendel Prus, director of Chabad of Doylestown, made his case for why the U.S. and Israel need each other.

"Israel contributes to the entire world on environmental technology ... Israel contributes technology to the entire world to make the world a better place, with more communication and a more peaceful place ... And, of course, on a daily basis, Israel contributes (military) intelligence to help and make the world a safer place.

"We're thankful for all of you coming today, to understand that this is the principles of the United States," Rabbi Prus said. "It's a country that was founded on those principles, that there's a place that's free for everyone to practice, no matter what religion they are, we are free to practice, we have a freedom of religion, and thank God Jewish people have always done well in the United States, are always happy in the United States, and are always able to flourish in their Judaism in the United States."

The crowd pledged allegiance to the American flag, then sang the American and Israeli national anthems.

As Rabbi Prus, and Richard Tems, an American veteran whose parents survived the Holocaust, delivered their remarks, the rally was marred twice. Several young men driving past the ralliers blared their car horns and shouted vulgarities about Israel, then followed with "Up with America!" as they sped off.

JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane@couriertimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: In Doylestown, crowd rallies for Israel