Pro-Palestinian demonstrators were filmed Thursday as they attacked Jews in Manhattan — allegedly harassing and beating pro-Israel counter-demonstrators; shooting fireworks at a crowd of onlookers; and spitting on diners eating in a local restaurant.
Some of the violence appeared to be mutual, as fights broke out between the two sides, facing off in Times Square. However, the pro-Palestinian demonstrators appeared to instigate and escalate the violence. One group (above) burned an Israeli flag.
Former New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, a pro-Israel Democrat who is also the founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, documented the violence, as did several citizen journalists who witnessed the violence as it unfolded.
HAPPENING NOW: Palestinian harassment fleet drives by Jews in Manhattan, threatening violence while screaming antisemitic slurs.
See next tweet for proof of the firebomb one of them threw at a Jewish target and their subsequent arrest on the scene.#AntiZionismIsAntisemitism pic.twitter.com/3t5KAIMKtN
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) May 20, 2021
Palestinians threw a mini firebomb at Jews in New York City moments ago. pic.twitter.com/rK7gXEEuql
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) May 20, 2021
One Palestinian assailant was arrested (unclear if he was the fire bomber) pic.twitter.com/oen6yl6zSm
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) May 20, 2021
Other sources, Right Scoop noted, filmed the alleged firebomb attack and its aftermath (violence, language warning):
JUST IN – Explosive device was thrown at a crowd in NYC’s Diamond District amid Pro-Palestine and Pro-Israel protests.pic.twitter.com/PT5peG3Q58
— Disclose.tv 🚨 (@disclosetv) May 20, 2021
Live at 5!!! In the diamond district and a group of Palestine’s came through and threw explosives at the Jews. Lord have mercy. I’m about to upload videos. pic.twitter.com/3ZrsUpBFWo
— Erica Diggs (@DiggsandCo) May 20, 2021
🇺🇸 – *MOMENTS AGO:* Pro-Palestinian thugs running wild through the diamond district on 47th street in NYC where many Jews work pic.twitter.com/1GCfy7OdAV
— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) May 20, 2021
Hikind later posted a video that, he said, showed pro-Palestinian demonstrators beating a Jewish man:
I just spoke with the father of a young 29-year old Jewish man who was seriously injured when Palestinians viciously and violently attacked him.
He’s at Bellevue in serious condition.
WHERE’S THE MAYOR?! WHERE’S THE GOVERNOR?!
MIA!!! #JewsUnderAttack https://t.co/K9qfxeZgdn
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) May 21, 2021
Videos of other attacks emerged, including one of a large group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators spitting at restaurant patrons, filmed by a correspondent for the conservative news website American Pigeon:
Pro-Palestine "protesters" in NYC threw a water bottle at a diner and his wife (I just missed getting it on video). The man threw the bottle back & the "protesters" spit on him & tried to attack him.👇👇 pic.twitter.com/rkDbu0LSn4
— The American Truth (@17AmericanTruth) May 21, 2021
Some videos appeared to show fights between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators. According to reports on social media, police eventually dispersed the latter, who appeared to be more numerous.
The New York Post reported:
Pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protesters clashed and fireworks sent people running near Times Square Thursday as tensions in the region spilled into the streets of Manhattan, videos showed.
…
A small explosive was thrown from a pickup truck in the Diamond District on 47th Street, sending worried bystanders running for safety. The pickup truck was part of a convoy of vehicles waving Palestinian flags, sources said.
A 55-year-old woman sustained burn injuries to her lower back.
The Diamond District is a predominantly Jewish area of the borough, with many kosher restaurants.
The Post noted, ironically, that the violence broke out after news of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Hamas terrorists emerged.
Several commentators on social media noted the lack of outrage, and the silence from the mainstream media and politicians.
Story cited here.
