As Columbia’s Sunday traffic bustled on Gervais Street, dozens of South Carolinians gathered to pray for the nation of Israel in front of the Statehouse. 

The Lexington County Republican Party hosted Pray for Israel on Oct. 15, with more than 50 people in attendance.

Many attendees wore somber faces while others held Israeli flags to show support for their families and friends. Speakers emphasized the atrocities occurring overseas as they told stories of what is happening during the conflict that has erupted between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. 

The event featured several speakers from across the Palmetto state. State Rep. RJ May (R-Lexington), U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R) and radio show host Kevin Cohen all spoke.

“Lexington is a very strong faith community,” said Mark Weber, chair of one of two groups claiming to be the official Lexington County Republican Party after a recent schism divided the party. The state GOP previously told the Chronicle that the other Lexington County GOP group, led by Pamela Godwin, is still the official party, and hasn’t responded to the Chronicle’s questions about the situation since Weber was elected chair of his group.

“We're the Republican party but this is not a party thing,” Weber said. “This is a people thing. Someone had to do it so we did it."

People of many faiths attended the event, including Stephen Mattier, a pastor at Calvary Church of Lexington. 

He led the crowd in prayer and read scriptures during his speech. 

“So, I stand on the steps of the capitol building and proclaim, God loves Israel and God will save Israel,” Mattier said. “Your prayers will be more than you know.”

Many speakers emphasized that the purpose of the event was not to take a political stance but to stand in solidarity with Israelis.

“Some people have a misconception that we can't display our moral compass to the world and the policies that we support,” Weber said. “While beliefs can align with different political parties, they’re just policies and our morals are what we're supposed to be guiding ourselves of how we live.”

“We don't want to push anybody away, people that believe what they believe and we welcome them,” Weber added. 

The Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7 when Palestinian militant groups, led by Hamas, launched at least 3,000 rockets in a coordinated surprise attack on Israel. 

The death toll from the war stands at more than 4,000 casualties, as reported by the Associated Press on Oct. 16.

As of Oct. 15, there have been 30 American casualties, according to CNN.

“I'm just proud to be a part of Lexington County and us doing this at the state capitol and having people come together of all creeds and races to show our support for Israel,” Weber told the Chronicle. 

Weber added that he hopes to see similar events happening across the state as the war continues.