Violence Erupts at Anti-Israel Protest in Brooklyn Neighborhood

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — An anti-Israel protest in the Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Borough Park devolved into violence Tuesday evening, leading to several skirmishes and chaotic scenes among demonstrators and counterprotesters.

The demonstration, organized by the activist group Pal-Awda, began around 5:30 p.m. and escalated as protesters chanted statements such as, “Zionists go to hell” and “Settlers go back home, Palestine is ours alone,” while waving Palestinian flags.

Approximately 300 participants gathered for the protest, which aimed to denounce the sale of what they described as “stolen Palestinian land,” according to a post on the group’s Instagram account. They were specifically protesting an event selling real estate in Israel.

The gathering unfolded in a segregated manner, with protesters and pro-Israel counterprotesters positioned within opposing barricades, according to reports from the Times of Israel. A large crowd of Jewish residents observed the tense atmosphere from the opposite sidewalk.

As the event continued, clashes erupted, resulting in multiple physical altercations caught on video. The NYPD confirmed one arrest: Anthony Frausto, 42, of Brooklyn, was taken into custody for allegedly punching a 61-year-old man in the face during the altercation. The victim received on-site treatment from EMS.

Footage recorded at the scene also revealed a large knife on the ground, although police stated there was no indication it had been used in any violence.

Remarkably, chants from the protesters included, “How many kids did you kill today?” Some demonstrators also directed hostile gestures towards Jewish pedestrians, while children returning from Yeshivas observed the confrontation from their school bus.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., criticized the protest on social media, stating, “It should come as a shock to no one that the pro-Hamas mob targeting Jews and promising to ‘flood’ Boro Park has descended into violence. Violence is not a bug but a feature of the so-called ‘Free Palestine’ movement, which has no desire to free Palestinians from Hamas.”

This protest was one of many anti-Israel demonstrations that have occurred across the U.S. following the October 7 Hamas-led attacks, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities.

The NYPD maintained a significant presence throughout the event, ensuring order amidst the escalating tensions. The confrontation concluded around 9 p.m., but the conflict has raised concerns over community safety and the impact of rising hostilities surrounding the Israel-Palestine issue.