Yesterday, on Sunday, October 8, New York City became the stage for tense demonstrations as tensions in the Middle East reverberated in the American metropolis. With a population of two million Jews and hundreds of thousands of Muslims, the city reflects the religious and cultural diversity of the world. Two distinct protests took place, reflecting polarized opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrators in Manhattan
Following the outbreak of the war initiated by the Gaza-based Islamist movement Hamas, around a thousand people gathered in Times Square. Waving Palestinian flags, the demonstrators expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, who have been struggling for 75 years against Israeli colonialism and the consequences of the Gaza blockade. Munir Atalla, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement that organized the rally, stated that what happened in Gaza was an “open-air prison,” emphasizing the historical context and the perceived violence of the Israeli regime. However, counter-protesters followed the pro-Palestinian procession from the opposite sidewalks, labeling them as “terrorists.” The two groups were separated by a significant police presence, avoiding direct physical confrontations.
Simultaneously, in another part of Manhattan, a few hundred people waving Israeli flags denounced Hamas as “cruel and treacherous.” They criticized Hamas’s actions, including the use of hostage-taking, including children, as a negotiating tactic. Some protesters expressed their desire for the world to know that New York Jews support Israel in its defense efforts.
Public reactions in support of Israel
Political reactions were swift. New York State’s Democratic Governor, Kathy Hochul, described the pro-Palestinian demonstration as “odious and morally repugnant” and expressed pride in the largest Jewish community outside of Israel residing in her state. She ordered iconic state monuments, such as the World Trade Center and Niagara Falls, to be illuminated in the colors of Israel as a sign of support. New York City Mayor Eric Adams also condemned the “heinous attacks against Israel” and expressed disagreement with any form of celebrating violence. This stance reveals tensions within the New York political class, where officials attempt to reconcile diverse opinions within the population.
Left-leaning Jewish peace organizations, such as Jewish Voice of Peace and IfNotNow, expressed support for the Palestinian cause. They marched to Brooklyn, home to some of New York’s most iconic Jewish neighborhoods, calling for “an end to all U.S. military funding to Israel.”