Protesters bearing Hezbollah flag scuffle with NYPD while marching on synagogue

Anti-Zionist protesters clashed with New York Police Department (NYPD) officers during a demonstration outside the Park East Synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The protest targeted a real estate event promoting properties in Israel, including West Bank settlements, held at the synagogue. Organized by the hardline Pal-Awda activist group, the gathering drew several hundred participants who chanted slogans calling for the destruction of Israel and expressed support for terrorist organizations, including displaying Hezbollah flags and making Hamas-associated hand gestures. The protesters’ chants included “Death to the IDF,” “End the settler Zionist state,” and calls for an “intifada revolution,” while some participants beat on images of the late Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. The demonstration was met by a smaller group of counter-protesters who held signs condemning anti-Zionism as a form of hatred against Jews and sang Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah.” Tensions between the two groups escalated with verbal insults exchanged, including accusations of terrorism and hate speech. This protest follows a similar event organized by Pal-Awda at the same synagogue late last year, which resulted in physical confrontations and object-throwing between opposing sides. In response to previous criticisms of police handling, the NYPD maintained a stronger presence this time, keeping the anti-Zionist protesters contained within barricades about half a block from the synagogue entrance and separated from counter-demonstrators across the street. Dozens of officers were deployed to prevent physical clashes and maintain order. The events highlight ongoing tensions in New York City surrounding Israel-related issues, particularly the contentious marketing of real estate in disputed territories. Synagogues renting space for such events have become flashpoints for protests, reflecting broader conflicts over Zionism, Palestinian rights, and the role of religious and political expression in public spaces. The demonstrations underscore the deep divisions within local communities and the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing politically charged gatherings.