Supporters of Israel and backers of the Palestinian cause held competing rallies in several American cities Sunday over the conflict that has killed hundreds and wounded thousands in the Middle East.
Clash Outside U.N. Building
In New York City, police ringed the United Nations compound as scores of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered a block away, chanting and waving flags. Metal barricades kept them on sidewalks as officers worked to separate them from an opposing group across the street, some waving Israeli flags.
As some pro-Palestinian demonstrators were leaving, men yelling and carrying Israeli flags crossed the barricades. A short skirmish broke out in the crowd, with one man ripping away an Israeli flag and throwing it to the sidewalk, where people stomped on it. Police quickly separated the two sides.
“We want to show the world that when Palestine rises up in resistance, the diaspora rises with it,” Munir Atalla, of the Palestinian Youth Movement, said before the scuffle.
Times Square Rally
In Times Square, social media earlier showed Palestinian supporters rallied with police barricades separating the crowd from a pro-Israel group. The pro-Palestinians eventually marched away chanting “free, free Palestine, long live Palestine” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as tourists and onlookers snapped photos.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, condemned the planned pro-Palestinian rally in a statement on Saturday night, calling it “abhorrent and morally repugnant.” Other political leaders in New York have issued similar statements.
Washington Heights Vigil
Elected officials, Jewish leaders and community members gathered at Bennett Park for a vigil Sunday evening as well.
"I’m devastated, I’m mad, I’m upset, I’m heartbroken,” Michael Klein, who attended the vigil, told NY1 reporter Nia Clark.
Klein and his daughter, Julia, were among the many Jewish New Yorkers processing the enormous loss of life in Israel over the weekend.
"It just broke my heart because we have friends in Israel and it’s just terrible to hear,” said Julia Klein, who, like her father, has previously visited Israel.
They were joined by dozens of mourners at the vigil Sunday night, expressing condemnation for the attack and support for Israel.
Several elected officials, including Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Representative Adriano Espilliat, joined Jewish leaders, expressing sadness, outrage and fear.
"I grieve for every innocent civilian, including innocent Palestinians,” Levine said. “But the blame for this must be placed with Hamas terrorists who launched this brazen, brutal, immoral attack yesterday,” Levine said.
"We will monitor the situation to make sure Hamas is eradicated from Israel,” said Representative Espilliat.
Spokespeople for Congressman Dan Goldman and Senator Corey Booker say both leaders were in Israel at the time of the attack but have departed Israel and are now safe. Several Americans have been killed in the attacks and Secretary of State Antony Blinken says officials are working to determine reports of missing Americans.
"The elderly, women, children, men young and old. Indiscriminate assaults on people,” said Noam Gillboord, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council.
Meanwhile, the NYPD has stepped up patrols of Jewish sites around the five boroughs.