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Israeli students hang flag on MSD fence to show support

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Support for Stoneman Douglas students and staff is coming not only from across the country, but also from around the world.

“I think it’s very important that they know that they’re not alone and they have support and people are standing with them ” said Uri Klempner, who is a sophomore in high school in Israel.

13 high school students from Israel placed a flag from their hometown on the fence outside Stoneman Douglas Friday morning.

“I was personally very shocked by this event and I felt very touched by the teenagers who were making a change," Uri said.

The students are on an exchange trip this week that was already planned with the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.

“The mayor of Zikhron Ya'akov was like, 'Ok, let me get you a flag,'" Uri said. "It was five hours before our flight.”

The students wanted to pay their respects in person and show their support.

"When we hear that teenagers are being killed in school, which is supposed to be a safe place, it’s just something very tragic and horrifying for a lot of us," Uri said. "It’s hard for us to comprehend."

Banners line the fences around Stoneman Douglas, some of which are from other states including Alabama, New Jersey, Tennessee, Missouri and Minnesota.

“They support us and they’re helping us get through such a bad event and everyone is here and they’re helping," said Nick Valentin, a sophomore at Douglas.