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By Sophie Lloyd
Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter
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CNN political commentator Van Jones appeared at a March for Israel rally on November 14 in Washington, DC, with his speech receiving a mixed response from the crowd.
In the five-minute talk delivered outside the National Mall on Tuesday, the 55-year-old civil rights advocate expressed his support for the Jewish community both in America and Israel in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the recent rise in antisemitism.
Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, launching missiles from the Gaza Strip and leading assaults by land, sea and air, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages, according to figures from Reuters.
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Israel subsequently fired substantial airstrikes on Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the country at war, and suspended supplies of food, medicine, energy and fuel into Gaza. As of November 15, over 11,200 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, The Associated Press reported.
While Jones' comments against antisemitism were applauded by the crowd, his wish for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza did not go down well, with the audience chanting "No ceasefire" mid-way through his speech.
Van Jones March for Israel Speech—The Full Transcript
After greeting the applauding crowd, Jones said: "Why am I here?
"I'm here because the horror and the terror that unfolded in Israel and Palestine has sent shockwaves far beyond their borders that affect and disrupt lives right here in the United States.
"Now if you're not Jewish, you may not know this, but since October 7th there has been literally an explosion of violence against Jewish people. Attacks against Jewish people. Horrific acts of hatred against Jewish people.
"The FBI says it's been unprecedented. A 400 percent increase just in the past three weeks. If you don't know that, it's because your social media algorithm is not telling you that and you might want to ask yourself why, but once you know, you cannot be silent.
"I don't want to be silent, because the Jewish community stood with the civil rights movement," Jones continued to rapturous applause. "Walking arm-in-arm, facing death, going to jail. The Jewish community stood with the civil rights movement and I cannot be silent when Jews are under attack today.
"That's why I'm here. Now, whatever our different political beliefs and views are about what's happening overseas, you do not have to support all the policies of Israel to support and love and stand with all the people of Israel during a time of profound mourning. That's why I'm here.
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"Now like all of us, and as was just said, my heart breaks for all the Israeli children, my heart breaks for all the Palestinian children, and my heart breaks for all the Jewish American children who are now also living in fear. I pray that every single hostage is released. I pray, bring them home.
"I also pray that Hamas ends its reign of terror," he said. "I have to say, I'm a peace guy, I'm a peace guy, I pray for peace. No more rockets from Gaza, and no more bombs falling down on the people of Gaza. God protect the children. God protect the children. Let's end all the horror and all the heartbreak in the hold land. Let's end all of it.
"But, I'll be honest in closing. When I think about what's happening over there, I don't feel powerful to do something about what's happening over there," Jones continued, as the audience began to chant: "No ceasefire."
"What I do feel powerful is to maybe do something about what's happening here. Let's take a stand here against anti-Jewish bigotry. Let's take a stand against Muslims," he said, appearing to lose his train of thought mid-sentence as the crowd chants.
"Let's take a stand here against hatred. Let's take a stand here against hatred of all kinds. I don't want any Jewish mother to be afraid here to drop her baby off at the JCC," he said, as the audience began to holler approvingly.
"I don't want that. I don't want that. I don't want any Jewish son to be afraid to leave his dorm room and go to the Hillel center for a meal. I don't want that. I don't want that.
"I don't want any Rabbi tonight to have to go and buy an extra can of white paint just to be able to paint over a Swastika on a synagogue tomorrow morning here in the United States. I don't want that. I don't want that.
"I definitely don't want any Jewish daughter, which I just learned this morning, to change her name in her ride-share app because she's afraid for her driver to know that she is Jewish. That should not be happening here. That should not be happening here.
"So, no matter what happens any place else, we can do better here. No more horror there, no more hatred here. You are not alone."
Newsweek has reached out to Van Jones for comment via email.
'I Hope People Are Listening and Watching'
Jones' speech also split opinions online, with some praising the lawyer's sentiments.
"These were incredible words, spoken with empathy, compassion, and clarity," commented YouTube user @user-ui4hr9wh4x.
"He is such a great kind human being he understood all what is going on," said @selamleethiopia5675.
"Thank you sir for speaking up about the truth of the loving kindness of Jewish people towards all people oppressed who they are permitted to help," wrote lorietaylor6837.
"I hope people are listening and watching," said @zorkwork3841.
While others slammed the Emmy winner, particularly for the line: "Let's take a stand against Muslims."
"Did he just say 'let us stand against muslims'" asked @TheActualHonestTruth. "Did I hear him correctly, he should speak about what happened to his forefathers."
"Yes he did. Yes he did," wrote @idread3523, while @user-gh6nj1xp8I accused Jones of "publicly inciting for hate against Muslims."
"Wow Van, let's take a stand against Muslims? Let's do better, let's stand up against antisemitism, anti Muslim, and all the 'isms' equally," said @Ron37579.
However, @cornellhughes6763 believed Jones was interrupted, with @nicolebarr9397 adding: "It is clear he was speaking about taking a stand against Muslim hatred."
Update 11/20/23, 04:33 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of "Hillel."
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