A volatile protest outside a Manhattan synagogue Tuesday night drew sharp condemnation from actor and commentator Michael Rapaport, who accused New Yorks political leadership of failing to protect Jewish worshippers and demanded consequences for what he described as escalating anti-Israel extremism in the streets.
According to Sean Hannity, Rapaport took to X as the demonstration raged outside Park East Synagogue, writing, HALLOWEEN SPRING FLING, Now right now in NYC, lunatics dressed in Halloween terra costumes are outside of. You guessed it a Synagogue in NYC. He then turned his fire on New Yorks Democrat governor, declaring, @GovKathyHochul, youve had 3 years to do a mask mandate & see if this stops the bulls, you did nothing. RESIGN in SHAME.
The clash unfolded as anti-Israel activists and pro-Israel counter-demonstrators faced off near the synagogue while police scrambled to keep the factions separated. Video from the scene showed New York City Police Department officers forming human barriers and physically pushing back crowds as tempers flared.
Witnesses estimated roughly 100 demonstrators massed less than a block from the synagogue, many waving Palestinian flags and wearing kaffiyehs while chanting, Palestine will never die and Stop the sale of stolen land. At one point, the rhetoric escalated further, with some in the crowd shouting, Israel should not exist, underscoring the openly eliminationist tone that has increasingly alarmed Jewish communities.
Across the street, pro-Israel demonstrators responded by waving Israeli and American flags as officers worked to prevent the confrontation from spiraling into outright violence. The event was organized by Pal-Awda NY/NJ, the same group that targeted the synagogue with a similar protest last November, raising renewed questions about why city and state leaders have allowed repeated intimidation outside houses of worship while failing to restore basic order and security.
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