Editorial | Mamdani must act, not just speak, against hate after ugly protests at synagogues | amNewYork

"Outside a synagogue in Midwood, Brooklyn, on Monday evening, a small but boisterous gathering of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered to protest a real estate event going on inside, and shout their opposition to Israel. It was reported that the group resorted to the usual inflammatory, hateful rhetoric despite being in a city that has seen a continuous uptick in antisemitism, and calls for buffer zones to protect religious and educational institutions from heated protests."

"Globalize the intifada and Brick by brick, wall by wall, Israel will fall, they reportedly cried. The protesters even waved the flag of Hezbollah, the terrorist group that has been responsible for killing Jewish men, women and children in Israel for decades. The protesters chose to chant these slogans advocating for the death of Israel and, in essence, the demise of the Jewish people outside a synagogue. Some of them chose to fly the flag of a terrorist group outside a synagogue."

"They made these choices not merely to voice political opposition to world events, as one has a right to do but rather to intimidate and instill fear into those whom they see as their enemies. As we've said before, such actions are not the exercise of the right to free speech; they are an exploitation of it. Moreover, the ugly display brought about a counterprotest of pro-Israel supporters shouting back at the pro-Palestine gathering."

"The Times of Israel reported that some of the counterprotesters sang, in Hebrew, The people of Israel live and May your village burn. In the wake of the ugliness, Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a statement condemning what transpired: The violence alongside antisemitic, anti-Muslim and racist rhetoric, as well as racial slurs, displays of support for terrorist organizations, and calls for the death of others was despicable and has no place in our city. But Mamdani must know that words are not enough. Actions are every"

A pro-Palestinian gathering protested a real estate event inside a synagogue in Midwood, Brooklyn, on Monday evening. Protesters used inflammatory and hateful rhetoric while the city has seen rising antisemitism and calls for buffer zones around religious and educational institutions. Chanting included “Globalize the intifada” and “Brick by brick, wall by wall, Israel will fall.” Some protesters waved the Hezbollah flag, a terrorist organization responsible for killing Jewish people in Israel. The event also drew a counterprotest from pro-Israel supporters. Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the violence, antisemitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric, racial slurs, support for terrorist organizations, and calls for the death of others.

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