Tensions escalated in the heart of Brooklyn on Tuesday evening as an anti-Israel exhibition turned into a heated confrontation in the predominantly Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Borough Park.

Dozens of protesters, led by the anti-Israel activist group Pal-Awda, gathered to express their grievances against what they perceive as the appropriation of Palestinian land by the Jewish state.The protest, which was organized via social media, saw participants waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans like “Settlers, go back home, Palestine is ours alone” and “Zionists, go to hell.”

In a stark display of emotion, protesters chanted “How many kids did you kill today?” accompanied by the beat of a snare drum, while some made offensive gestures towards the Jewish residents of the neighborhood.

Counter-Protest Ensues

In response to the anti-Israel demonstration,pro-Israel supporters and local residents assembled,carrying Israeli flags.The two groups were separated by barricades, but the tension was palpable. Videos shared on social media platforms showed the two groups clashing, with screams and shouts audible in the background. Police intervened to separate the crowd and maintain order.

The violence that unfolded in Boro Park tonight should serve as a wake-up call. The so-called “Free Palestine” movement is nothing but a thin veil for anti-Semitism. pic.twitter.com/RLZZEb4GFg

— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) Local Leaders Condemn Demonstration

Before the protest took place,local leaders had already criticized the planned demonstration,calling on authorities to intervene. Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres slammed the protesters for targeting borough Park “simply because it is Jewish.”

“The violence we saw tonight was not an isolated incident, but a symptom of a larger problem,” Torres posted on X. “The so-called ‘Free Palestine’ movement is nothing but a thin veil for anti-Semitism.”

Activist group End Jew Hatred also condemned the protest, accusing other city leaders of failing to stand up against anti-Israel protesters. “Hamas apologists and supporters, cloaked in the pretense of supporting ‘Palestine,’ showed their true nature as violent thugs looking for any reason to attack Jews,” the group stated.

Police have confirmed that charges are pending against one protester who was taken into custody. This demonstration is one of many that have taken place in New York City as the October 7,2023 attack by the Palestinian terror group Hamas on the Jewish state.

With inputs from agencies