Last Friday, some 250 motorcycle enthusiasts rode 250 miles, from Tel Aviv to northern Israel, along the border with Lebanon, and back. They were demonstrating support for Israel, the Israel Defense Forces and especially communities in the north impacted during the Swords of Iron War by Lebanon’s Hezbollah terrorist organization.
The event was organized by the Rolling Thunder of South Florida motorcycle riders’ club, a pro-Israel U.S.-based group dedicated to strengthening Israel, the U.S.-Israel alliance and combating antisemitism.
The ride, in its seventh year, was originally scheduled for June 20, with the expected participation of double the number of bikers, including those flying in from the United States. However, as a result of Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” against Iran, a plane with participants already in Israeli airspace was diverted to Europe.
Boaz Edri, president of Rolling Thunder, who founded the club 22 years ago along with his partner Tony Raz, did succeed in making it to Israel for the ride. The main purpose of the event was to raise awareness about the realities Israel is facing, including the plight of the hostages, he told JNS.