Philly Jewish Community Members Call For Permanent Ceasefire At Vigil

PHILADELPHIA — Members of Philadelphia Jewish community Thursday held a candlelight vigil calling for a permanent ceasefire in the Irsrael-Hamas war.

The group Jewish Voice for Peace organized Jewish faith leaders, community members, and other allies for a candlelight vigil that called for a permanent ceasefire. The vigil was held at the same time as another group held a fundraiser for the Israel military, the Israel Defense Forces.

The group sang traditional Jewish songs of peace, and were led by a rabbi in the traditional Jewish prayer for mourning.

Jewish Voice for Peace said the fundraiser was hosted by The Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces and that it was the first local fundraiser that the group has held since the deadly attacks on Irasel that occurred Oct. 7. Tax documents show Friends of the IDF sends nearly $100 million each year to support the Israeli military.

“Right now, the choice couldn’t be clearer. There’s a fundraiser for a military that’s internationally condemned for committing war crimes, or there’s a vigil bringing people together in grief and hope," Rabbi Linda Holtzman said. "We are here to say stop the killing. Stop the bombing. We are gathering to commit to a future of justice, one of safety and freedom and equality for all Palestinians and all Israelis."

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Israel and Hamas agreed to a temporary ceasefire, which led to hostages and prisoners being exchange between the two.

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The ceasefire has since come to an end, with CNN reporting talks reached an impasse, with Israel saying Hamas violated the ceasefire by firing at Israel. Israel has resumed airstrikes on Gaza with the ceasefire's end.

NBC10 reports more than 1.7 million people have been displaced in Gaza and that the Gaza death toll exceeds 15,000. The Israel Defense Forces estimates 1,200 people were killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, with around 140 people still held captive in Gaza, per NBC