NYC synagogue targeted in tense protests by pro-Palestinian activists

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: An irate mob of anti-Israel demonstrators stormed the sidewalk outside Park East Synagogue on Wednesday night, November 19.

Roughly 200 protesters packed the block and erupted into the deeply sinister chant, “take another settler out.”

They were reportedly protesting against those attending an event hosted by Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization that helps American Jews move to Israel. According to the Times of Israel, the agitators stationed themselves outside the Manhattan synagogue and heckled everyone entering or leaving, creating a disturbance at the normally quiet Upper East Side institution.

One protest leader even told the crowd, “It is our duty to make them think twice before holding these events.” The leader repeated, “We need to make them scared. We need to make them scared. We need to make them scared.”

The group continued pounding out chants over a drumbeat and at one point launched into, “Resistance you make us proud, take another settler out.”

Jewish leaders condemn violent anti-Israel protest

Jewish leaders have begun responding. Park East Senior Rabbi Arthur Schneier issued a warning.

“The violent scene in front of Park East Synagogue is a reminder, a warning not to be silent. No house of worship should be subjected to this type of demonstration,” the 95-year-old Holocaust survivor told the New York Post.

Cantor Benny Rogosnitzky called the display “very disturbing.” He told the Post, “And while the right to protest is an inherent right, last night was very disturbing… the sort of language that you never want to hear at a protest on either side.”

He said the pro-Palestinian group spewed chants like “Destroy Israel.” “And a lot of people were very, very concerned in the community about those protests and about what was being chanted at them,” Rogosnitzky said.

Mayor Eric Adams condemned the scene as “totally unacceptable, no matter your faith or background.” He posted on X, “This type of protest and vile language should concern us all. When you desecrate one house of worship, you desecrate them all.”

Meanwhile, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani struck a softer tone in responding to the demonstration. A spokesperson said, “The Mayor-elect has discouraged the language used at last night’s protest and will continue to do so… He believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation, and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law.”

NYPD separates protesters as Pal-Awda targets Manhattan synagogue

The demonstration was organized by Pal-Awda NY/NJ, an anti-Israel activist group that promoted the rally as “No settlers on stolen land” and “Protest to stop the settler recruiting fair.”

It’s worth noting that Nefesh B’Nefesh is not involved in West Bank settlement recruitment, though it does provide information about communities such as Gush Etzion. Haaretz reports that the group has no official ties to settlements.

A Jewish counter-protest quickly formed on the opposite side of the barricades, shouting “You’re cowards” and criticizing the mob for “protesting at a synagogue.”

NYPD officers stood between the two groups and placed metal barricades.

The department said no arrests were made. Rogosnitzky said congregants were relieved to see police “in full force” and expressed hope that Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will maintain that level of response once in office.

“We hope that the incoming mayor will continue the same line of reinforcing the NYPD, supporting them while allowing peaceful protests, not allowing protests where people are attacked or feel threatened in any way,” he said.

Jewish congregants call for action amid alarming protest

Inside the synagogue, Nefesh B’Nefesh continued with their event and greeted attendees at a table near the entrance. But many inside were shaken.

Synagogue regular Paul Atler, 73, said, “The fact that a mob can say slurs in front of a synagogue, or anywhere if it’s ‘kill Jews’ and ‘destroy Israel’ and things like that, you know, that’s very, very bad.”

He said Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani needs to step up. “I am very worried about the use of antisemitism in the country in general, and in New York in particular, because I am a New Yorker through and through,” he said. “I’m hoping that the new mayor will stand up against it, and I’m concerned about that.”

It’s worth noting that Park East Synagogue has stood in its current location since 1890.

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