Thousands of protesters demanding eradication of Israel clash with NYPD
The “Flood Brooklyn for Palestine” demonstration devolved into chaos as night fell, with protesters completely shutting down traffic, screaming at police and lighting small fires in the middle of the roadways.
The aggressive protesters dug their heels into the ground when the NYPD tried to push them out of 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue, where 5,000 ralliers converged earlier in the day to demand that the United States withdraw support for its closest ally in the Middle East.
Officers began plucking individuals out of the massive flood — as well as from the inside of one pick-up truck carrying ralliers — of the Palestine flag-waving horde in an effort to quell the out-of-control rally.
“It got pretty heated,” a law enforcement source told The Post.
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A young teenager was seen trying to hold an older woman carrying a “Zionism is Genocide” sign who was being yanked by two officers.
Some rioters lobbed eggs at the swarming cops.
Protesters continued shouting in the streets, as well as chanting over small barbecue fires they set up in the road.
The NYPD confirmed that approximately two dozen people were taken into custody during the chaos, but it was unclear whether those detained by police were formally arrested or issued summonses.
The overwhelming demonstration kicked off hours earlier in one of the largest Arab and Middle Eastern communities in New York City
“We are calling for full liberation of all of Palestine . . . to every single inch, from river to the sea,” shouted one protester, repeating a refrain used by Hamas terrorists and their anti-Israel backers.
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“We are not like other groups simply calling for a cease-fire,” added the woman, wearing a T-shirt of one of the event’s organizers, the radical leftist group Within Our Lifetime.
“We are calling not simply for an end to genocide. We are calling for an end to the siege, an end to the blockade. An end to the occupation.”
The anti-Israel mob included all ages, from young children to 20-somethings to gray-haired elders.
“Say it loud, say it clear, we don’t want no Zionists here!” protesters cheered while beating on drums and waving Palestinian flags.
“We will free Palestine within our lifetime!” the crowd cried, holding signs reading, “Zionism is genocide” and “Resistance is justified when people are occupied.”
One demonstrator was seen carrying a distasteful poster depicting a person throwing the Israeli flag in the trash.
Worst attack on Israel in 50 years: How we got here
2005: Israel unilaterally withdraws from the Gaza Strip over three decades after winning the territory from Egypt in the Six-Day War.
2006: Terrorist group Hamas wins a Palestinian legislative election.
2007: Hamas seizes control of Gaza in a civil war.
2008: Israel launches military offensive against Gaza after Palestinian terrorists fired rockets into the town of Sderot.
2023: Hamas launches the biggest attack on Israel in 50 years.
Over 1,400 Israelis are dead, more than 4,200 are wounded and at least 100 were taken hostage, with the death toll expected to rise after Hamas terrorists fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of militants into Israeli towns.
Hamas terrorists were seen taking female hostages and parading them down the street in horrifying videos.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced “We are at war” and vowed Hamas would pay “a price it has never known.”
Gaza health officials report at least 3,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 12,500 injured.
“Please keep the world clean!” the sign read.
Many attendees weren’t surprised by Saturday’s show of force for the rally, which was promoted as a demonstration for the “end [of] US-sponsored genocide in Gaza.”
“It’s Brooklyn, so it’s little Palestine,” one protester named Amy said.
“I’m here because I’ve been feeling angry about what’s happening, and coming out here and yelling in support with the community is a good thing for everyone.”
City Councilmember Ari Kagan ripped the protesters, stating the demonstration was calling for further violence under the guise of a rally for freedom.
No speaker mentioned HAMAS atrocities against innocent Israeli civilians. And crowd chanted HAMAS slogan: “From the river to the sea Palestine will be free!” – advocating for eradication of Jews from Israel,” the Jewish Republican representing part of southern Brooklyn said on X.
“This was not a rally for a two state solution or for liberation of Gaza from HAMAS or public call to free hundreds of kidnapped Israelis & Americans. It was a shameful pro-HAMAS & anti-Israel rally that I strongly condemn.”
Other critics took to social media to tear into the marchers for their radical demand calling for the end of Israel.
“Whole neighborhood are Hamas supporters. Disgusting,” one seethed on X.
“This Bay Ridgeite thinks if Hamas didn’t kill >1,000 civilians, including the beheadings of women and children, they wouldn’t be in this predicament,” another wrote.
The NYPD confirmed that an unspecified number of demonstrators were taken custody.
Demonstrations have erupted since Hamas terrorists descended on Israel, murdering 1,400 people, including babies and children. The attack unleashed war as Israel vowed to destroy Hamas.
In one Manhattan demonstration against the conflict, angry pro-Palestinian supporters displayed swastikas and burned an Israeli flag.
On Friday, 139 pro-Palestinian protesters attending a demonstration organized by the Democratic Socialists of America were arrested for blocking traffic in Manhattan.
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