Anti-Israel protesters clashed with police on Friday in an attempt to disrupt a big fundraiser for President Biden in New York City, the same day that Biden’s debate with former President Trump ended in a disastrous defeat.
“There is only one solution: Intifada Revolution!” protesters yelled as they marched from Madison Square Garden to the Hammerstein Ballroom on West 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan, where the high-profile political rally was being held.
Police told Fox News Digital that at least 38 people were arrested in connection with the protests.
Anti-Israel protesters fire flares at New York City music festival memorial on October 7 for victims, chanting “Long Live the Intifada”
An anti-Israel protest took place in Manhattan on Friday. (Selcuk Akar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Video footage shows protesters yelling abuse and giving the finger to police, and officers in riot gear arresting some of the protesters when they refused to comply with orders to get off the road and onto the sidewalk.
Protesters also fired green and red smoke bombs, and in chaotic scenes a protester in a wheelchair was seen falling to the ground as smoke filled the air.
Protesters, many of whom wore masks or keffiyehs, carried Palestinian flags, but also Trans, Saudi and Yemeni flags.
The rally was organised by anti-Israel activist group Within Our Lifetime, which called on X’s supporters to “stand up to Genocide Joe”.
“Genocide politicians are not welcome in New York City,” a poster on the group’s X account read. “Genocide Joe and those who support him and the genocide in Palestine will face protests everywhere they go.”
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Anti-Israel protesters were arrested in Manhattan on Friday, with police saying 38 people were arrested for attempting to disrupt a fundraiser for President Biden. (Selcuk Akar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The agitators then made their way to Madison Square Park between Fifth and Madison Avenues, where pro-Israel supporters were seen confronting them, brandishing what appeared to be photos of Hamas hostages captured in the October 7 attack.
Anti-Israel protesters could be heard chanting, “Genocide Joe must go.”
According to the New York Post, more than 640 donors gathered at the Hammerstein Ballroom to hear Biden deliver a speech following his heavily panned debate with Trump on Thursday. Tickets for the fundraiser, which ranged from $250 for balcony seats to up to $500,000 for table seats, were among those in attendance, including actors Billy Porter and Alan Cumming.
New York City has been a hotbed of anti-Israel protests in recent months. The arrest of an anti-Israel protester at Columbia University in April sparked protests on college campuses nationwide, and earlier this month, protesters clashed with police at a rally outside an exhibit commemorating the victims of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
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Pro-Israel supporters were seen confronting the crowd, waving what appeared to be photos of Hamas hostages captured in the October 7 attack. (FNTV)
Ahead of a fundraiser on Friday, Biden sought to reassure Democrats in the key battleground state of North Carolina that he still has the ability to lead the country for another four years.
“Needless to say, I know I’m not getting any younger,” Biden, who at 81 is the oldest president in U.S. history, told cheering supporters.
“Followers, I don’t walk as easily as I used to. I don’t talk as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to,” Biden acknowledged. “But I know what I know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done. And I know, as millions of Americans know, when you get knocked down, you can get up.”
Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Ahead of a fundraiser on Friday, Biden sought to reassure Democrats in the key battleground state of North Carolina that he still has the ability to lead the country for another four years. (Alison Joyce/Getty Images)
