Pro-Palestinian Protesters Gather Outside Manhattan Synagogue
On Wednesday night, a significant group of pro-Palestinian activists surrounded the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan, loudly chanting phrases like “globalize the intifada,” “death to the IDF,” and “eliminate new settlers.” Some critics expressed concerns that this was merely the beginning of a more radicalized environment under the incoming socialist mayor, Zoran Mamdani.
This protest coincided with an event focused on Jewish immigration to Israel happening inside the synagogue, which has been a fixture on East 67th Street since 1890 and also hosts a prominent Jewish day school. Several groups, including Pal-Awda New York and New Jersey, Within Our Lifetime, and Jewish Voice for Peace New York, organized the rally as a protest against what they described as “settlers on stolen land,” particularly aiming to halt a settlers’ recruitment event.
Protesters played drums and shouted slogans, including “Resistance is glorious,” “Intifada revolution,” and “There is no peace on stolen land.” They displayed signs reading messages like “Zionism is a cult of death” and “No settlers on stolen land.” One protest leader emphasized the need to intimidate those hosting events, suggesting that the protesters should dissuade them from continuing.
New York City police responded by setting up metal barricades to keep the demonstration separate from a smaller group of Jewish counter-protesters. These counter-protesters used shofars and whistles to make their presence known, shouting things such as “cowards” and demanding that the protests stop. Officials confirmed that the protest was permitted and reported no arrests.
Cantor Benny Rogosnitsky, the cantor of Park East Synagogue and principal of the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School, described the situation as “very disturbing.” He highlighted that protesters were shouting anti-Jewish phrases, which left many community members feeling quite anxious about the targeting of synagogues.
The events outside the synagogue elicited strong reactions from various rabbis, commentators, and politicians, many of whom found the protests to be a chilling reminder of the past. Rabbi Elchanan Pupko shared a video of the protest, noting that such anti-Semitic chants echoed the sentiments leading to tragic historical events. He drew parallels to Kristallnacht, stating that this was not merely about Gaza but rather an attack on Jews.
Another local pastor, Jordan Wells, remarked on the intense emotions surrounding the protest, indicating that those chants felt familiar to someone who had experienced similar sentiments in the past. Conservative commentators also weighed in, stating that the scene resembled dark times in history.
Calls for strong denunciation of anti-Semitic rhetoric grew from various factions, including some political figures. House Republican Leadership Committee Chair Elise Stefanik criticized Governor Kathy Hochul for allegedly supporting a candidate perceived as anti-Semitic, stating that it endangered Jewish families in the area.
Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres underscored the implications of the term “intifada,” linking it to violence against Jewish people. In contrast, British commentator Melanie Phillips expressed disbelief that such rhetoric could arise in New York City. A council member warned that this might be the beginning of a more perilous time for the Jewish community under the new administration.
Elie Kohanim, a former U.S. envoy for combating anti-Semitism, emphasized the significance of the protest and its implications for Jewish life in the city. Ted Deutch, the CEO of the American Jewish Committee, condemned the rally as inciting violence against Jews.
As the demonstrations unfolded, discussions about the rising incidents of anti-Semitism drew attention. Data indicated a significant increase in such incidents across the country, with New York City particularly affected. Many Jewish leaders are now questioning the forthcoming government’s commitment to ensuring safe worship environments.
