USA
Pro-Palestinian demo outside New York hospital after calls for ‘global intifada’
Activists called for the release of medical personnel accused of terror offences by the IDF
January 7, 2025 13:04
By, Jewish News Syndicate
1 min read
Activists called for the release of medical personnel accused of terror offences by the IDF
January 7, 2025 13:04ByJC Reporter, Jewish News Syndicate
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists gathered outside Tisch Hospital in New York City on Monday after protestors called for the “globalisation of the intifada” against Israel.
Activists accused Israeli soldiers of abducting over 450 medical personnel amid the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.
Videos from the event showed demonstrators chanting slogans like “We don't want no Zionists here” and “Palestine, you make us proud”.
Others held signs bearing messages such as “Gaza forever,” “Abolish Israel” and calling for a Palestinian "Right of Return."
There were clashes with a smaller group of pro-Israel demonstrators who had assembled to form a counter-protest.
"We don't want no Zionists here"
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) January 6, 2025
How utterly disgusting do you have to be to stand outside a hospital and scream at patients and staff?
This is happening at NYU Tisch Hospital pic.twitter.com/RGgUvUJyvU
Police were required to control the crowd as tensions flared between the two sides.
The main protest was organized by Within Our Lifetime, which describes itself as a “pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist activist group” operating in the city.
The group has previously attracted criticism from US politicians, who have accused it of praising Hamas terrorism.
Speakers on Monday also called for the release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a Gaza hospital director detained by the Israel Defense Forces.
The IDF maintains that Dr. Abu Safiya has close links with the Hamas terrorist group
Officials say he was arrested on suspicion of “involvement in terrorist activities, and for holding a rank” within the group.
This demonstration followed a New Year's Day protest in Times Square that supported Palestinian terror.
That protest came just hours after a deadly attack in New Orleans, where a man drove a pickup truck adorned with an Islamic State flag into a crowd, killing 15 and injuring 35.
The New York Post reported that anti-Israel protesters, many waving Palestinian flags, chanted ‘there is only one solution: intifada revolution’ during their march.
Such rhetoric has long been condemned by Jewish organizations and scholars as incitement to violence against Jews.
The protesters also shouted "We will honor all our martyrs," according to the Post.
Israeli diplomat Yaki Lopez condemned the demonstration, writing: “Pro-Hamas demonstrators chanted ‘intifada revolution” in New York City while Jihadist terrorists carried out a deadly attack in New Orleans, killing over a dozen Americans.”
He added: “This is the grim reality of the ‘globalization of the intifada’ they called for.
“It’s terror, pure and simple.”