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.
“When you roar through the State of Israel with hundreds of bikers, you shake the earth beneath, raising awareness, and people capture the images on their phones and share them with the world,” he said.
“We need to win the second big war Israel is facing these days—the hasbara (information) battlefield. We need to show people and tell people the truth,” he added.
Edri said in addition to the ride in Israel, and other similar riding events in the United States, Rolling Thunder, along with partner organizations including south Florida’s Community is Unity (CIU) organization, has sent nine plane loads of essential equipment to Israel for IDF soldiers, sponsored barbeques for hundreds of troops at IDF bases and much more since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel.
“I was born in Haifa,” said Edri, “and all my life I’ve retained my love for my country. I’m here to help our IDF warriors in any way, upgrading their equipment with the best technologies, so they can be a step ahead of their enemies.”
Edri and his philanthropic partners, including the Falic Family Foundation, represented by Tila Falic Levi, also organize many other pro-Israel events in southern Florida.
This year’s motorcycle ride was also dedicated to Sgt. First Class Ran Gvili of the Israel Police’s Yamam Special Patrol Unit. Gvili was killed battling terrorists while protecting Kibbutz Alumim on Oct. 7. Hamas is still holding his body hostage.
In addition, the ride was in memory of Nir Azulay, an IDF soldier killed in a motorcycle accident in May 2024.
Gvili’s parents participated in the event, riding in their car alongside the motorcycles. His father, Itzik, told JNS it was very emotional, especially as his son, Ran, carried out his Yamam service on a motorcycle.
Itzik said 10 members of Ran’s Yamam unit also participated.
“The police were the heroes of Oct. 7, and we have to remember them and their bravery in every way and everywhere,” he said.
Nir Azulay’s father, Ami, who has been a biker for 35 years and was a professional photographer for Harley-Davidson motorcycles in Israel, rode in the pack. He told JNS the event had extra meaning this year, riding in memory of fallen soldiers, including his son.
“We cannot forget those who were killed, and those hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas. With a war still raging, most recently with Iran, I hope next year’s event will be under better circumstances,” he said.
Elad (last name withheld for security reasons), a commander in a police counterterrorism unit, participated in the ride this year for the fourth time.
Elad and his family evacuated from Kiryat Shmona along the northern border when Israel went to war with Hezbollah on the Lebanon front. They only recently returned home. Therefore, he said this year’s ride was especially poignant for him.
Many local riding clubs were represented at this year’s event, in unity, to show their support for the north, he told JNS. He said that even though the U.S. delegation was unable to attend, the event was extremely successful and meaningful.
“There is a brotherhood of bikers worldwide,” he said. “In the past few years, we have been showing support for our soldiers, hosting barbeques for them and more.”
Elad said the ride marked a special connection between Israel and the United States, with both flags represented on the bikes.
“This event demonstrates true unity, for a purpose,” he said.