As House lawmakers watched footage of the Oct. 7th Hamas attack provided by the Israeli government, a March for Israel was beginning its preliminary programming. Soon, House Speaker Mike Johnson would be making an appearance, along with Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The event comes following weeks of pro-Palestine demonstrations, including the March for Palestine last weekend that saw some 300,000 participants, according to organizers.

“We stand with Israel,” Schumer began his remarks, later adding that “history reminds us of one thing: That even in its darkest days, the United States has always stood with Israel and we will do everything to see that that never, ever changes.”

Billed as a pro-Israel rally, speakers primarily issued their support of the Israel Defense Forces, with one college student stating that her sibling was an enlisted member. Others called for all hostages held by Hamas to be released, which Schumer echoed, along with further support for Israel.

“We will not rest until you get all the assistance you need. We will not rest until you get the assistance you need,” Schumer added.

It’s unclear if there will be additional aid sent to Israel, as a congressional spending plan from Johnson leaves out further funding.

Johnson spoke about the footage lawmakers were shown earlier, calling it “a horrific film” and referring to Hamas as “barbaric.” While he did not address any financial plans for supporting Israel, he did condemn calls for a ceasefire.

“The calls for a ceasefire are outrageous,” Johnson said as chants of, “No ceasefire” broke out among those gathered for the march. “We stand with you in that,” the Louisiana Republican affirmed.

That high-profile elected officials like Johnson and Schumer would speak at the March for Israel is telling. Rep. Rashida Tlaib was censured following her remarks at a pro-Palestine event, though the Michigan Democrat maintains that she will continue to speak out.

“A majority of Americans support a ceasefire, but this Congress isn’t listening to their voices. I will continue to call for a mutual ceasefire, for the release of hostages and those arbitrarily detained, for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, and for every American to be brought home,” Tlaib said in a statement.

According to a recent Data For Progress poll, 66 percent of voters — regardless of party affiliation — support a ceasefire. Recent reports suggest that Congressional staff for Democratic lawmakers are overwhelmed by calls from constituents urging support for a ceasefire.

Still, Johnson made it clear that a ceasefire was not something that the House of Representatives would take up and even pushed back at the chants many have used in pro-Palestine demonstrations.

“We’ve heard many echo the Hamas rallying cry, ‘From the river to the sea,’” Johnson said, claiming the chant “is an explicit call for the extermination of Israel.” The chant gained popularity in the 1960s — long before Hamas was founded in 1987 — and many Muslims consider it a call for Palestinian liberation.

“It is unacceptable for any political leader of this nation to give credence to this dangerous rhetoric,” Johnson said in an apparent reference to Tlaib. “We can and we must do more to stand with our great ally and friend. And it is my hope that this gathering today serves as a reminder.. that the United States stands with our ally, Israel, and its people forever.”

In addition to tensions from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Johnson is also facing a major test since his election as House Speaker — a potential government shutdown in just three days’ time.