COEUR  d’ALENE — It was cold and dumping rain, but Fawn Robertson donned a red baseball cap and a coat, grabbed her walker and traveled about 50 miles to join a pro-Israel rally Saturday morning.

And when she couldn’t keep up with the main group as they walked along U.S. 95, Robertson pushed on alone.

“The Jews are God’s chosen people,” she said, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. “We’ve always promised to stand with Israel.”

Robertson carried a large sign with the word “Jerusalem” at the top, drawings of the flags of the United States and Israel in the middle, and “We Stand Together Forever” at the bottom.

“The Lord is coming,” she said. “We’re at the end of times. We have to support Israel. We have to.”

She was one of about 60 people who turned out for a rally to support the country in the Middle East that is at war with Hamas and has launched an offensive into Gaza.

The group gathered in the parking lot near Candlelight Christian Fellowship and walked about a mile along U.S. 95 to Neider Avenue before turning back.

They waved, wrapped flags of Israel and the Star of David around their shoulders and carried signs that read “Pray, Stand, Support Israel." Others called for the release of hostages taken in the Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

Some drivers honked in support. 

“Thanks for what you’re doing,” shouted one man from his car as he rolled down the driver’s side window.

Jason Murray, assistant pastor at Candlelight, said it was important to stand with Israel.

He said there is one nation that stands alone in the Middle East where citizens have liberty, and that is Israel.

The U.S. must support it, Murray said.

“The God who promised never to leave nor forsake Israel is the same God who sent the Messiah,” he said. 

Cindy Hirsch agreed.

“God calls us to stand with Israel,” she said before heading out to march, holding up a flag of Israel.

Ginger Horvath traveled from Sandpoint with Robertson for the rally.

“It’s time for us to wake up. It’s time for us to look at who is standing in truth,” she said. 

“God made a covenant with Israel and God made a covenant with the United States and God keeps covenants," Horvath said.

Karen Campbell, with Praying Warriors ministry, helped organize the rally. She was glad to see a strong turnout despite the weather conditions.

While some are calling for Israel to end or scale back its offensive to prevent the deaths of civilians and destruction of homes, Campbell said Hamas is still holding hostages taken Oct. 7. If they would release them, she believes that could help end the war.

“Israel has a right in the land that they’re in and God promised it to them through the lineage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob," Campbell said.

Jeff Lewis stood in the rain at a corner of U.S. 95 and Dalton Avenue holding flags of the United States and Israel.

He said Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, surrounded by Arab nations.

“They don’t believe Israel has the right to exist,” he said. “They do have a right to exist and, as Americans, we should support them.”

Lewis said he believes Israel is home to God’s chosen people.

“He has a plan for his people. He’s not going to deny them or turn his back on them. In the end, they will be saved,” Lewis said. “No matter what they do, they’ll always be his chosen people.”

    Karen Campbell, left, and Ginger Horvath walk along U.S. 95 during a rally and march in support of Israel on Saturday.
  

    The flag of Israel depicting the Star of David is wrapped around the shoulders of a person who joined a pro-Israel rally in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday.
  

    Supporters of Israel cross Dalton Avenue during a pro-Israel rally on Saturday.
  

    Jeff Lewis holds flags of Israel and the United States during a pro-Israel rally on Saturday in Coeur d'Alene.