Thousands of people attended rallies in major European cities expressing solidarity with Israel in the wake of the recent upsurge in terror attacks, Ynet reported today.

Hundreds of demonstrators, among them politicians and noted Italian societal figures, stood outside the Israeli Embassy in Rome to show their support of Israel. The protesters filled adjacent streets with Israeli flags.

A similar show of support came from Madrid, where the Jewish community brought over 300 people to stand by Israel. The demonstrators carried signs that said “Yo estoy con Israel” – I am with Israel. …

The French rally [in Paris], also organized by the Jewish community and the Union of French Jewish students (UEJF), was attended by approximately 4,000 people, among them heads of the Jewish community and French politicians.

“This wave of murders must be stopped,” renowned philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy said at the Paris rally. “This slaughter doesn’t serve peace or the Palestinians. The wave of murders is a death for Israelis and an act of suicide for the Palestinians.”

“Israel has a right to exist,” asserted Sacha Reingewirtz, the president of UEJF. “When we do not recognize the right of a country to defend itself against attacks with a knife, gun, and cars being rammed into people, it is the same as not recognizing its legitimacy….I love Israel and I want to be able to say that without being treated as a criminal occupier, a murderer.”

[Photo: D Anthony / YouTube ]