"It was as low as it gets. A group of individuals identifying themselves as pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered outside a Queens synagogue last week in the heavily Jewish neighborhood of Kew Gardens Hills on Thursday, and decided to unleash a cruel, evil chant. Say it loud, say it clear, we support Hamas here, the demonstrators yelled at the Yeshiva of Central Queens synagogue."
"It is a flagrant abuse of free speech rights that advances no cause and only inflicts more harm, more anxiety, and more hatred. And let's be clear: It would be just as awful if a group of people went into a predominantly Muslim, Catholic, Hindu, or Sikh neighborhood and chanted support for that faith's eradication. No one deserves to be exposed to such ugliness; no one should have to live in fear."
Pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered outside the Yeshiva of Central Queens in Kew Gardens Hills and loudly chanted support for Hamas. The protesters claimed to protest West Bank land sales but chose a heavily Jewish neighborhood and a sensitive time to voice support for a terrorist organization. Hamas carried out Oct. 7, 2023 attacks that killed more than 1,200 people, left hundreds hostage, and triggered war. The chant inflicted fear on a community already facing increased antisemitism and was characterized as a deliberate antisemitic act that should be considered a hate crime rather than protected speech. City leadership was urged to adopt zero tolerance for antisemitism and other forms of hate.
Read at www.amny.com
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