Anti-Israel Protesters Meet Betar in New York City

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Anti-Israel Protesters Meet Betar in New York City 1

There was a wild scene in the largely Jewish enclave of Borough Park last night. A group called PAL-AWDA organized a protest at what they clamed was a real estate event to sell stolen Palestinian land.

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Across the US and Canada realtors continue to sell stolen PALESTINIAN property on settlements that are illegal under International law…

đź”»As the genocide on Palestinians continues, we call for a complete end to the settler-colonial project of israel and its goal of expansion.

In the face of Trump’s outrageous plans to force Palestinians out of the Gaza strip and in the wake of the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank in the past month, it is more important than ever that we show up in the masses to oppose the sale of stolen land, especially when it is happening in our own backyards!

Of course this group claims the protest was not anti-Semitic but in practice they believe in the same “from the river to the sea” removal of Jews that Hamas does.

During the protest that was reportedly endorsed by around 30 other groups, activists proclaimed that from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, “Palestine is Arab.”

Al-Awda claimed that the protests were to stop what they claimed was the sale of “stolen” land. The expo website didn’t offer holdings in disputed territories, but Getter does seek out real estate on behalf of its clients depending on their requests, which could include in settlements.

The protesters did show up but they were easily outnumbered by Jewish residents and counter-protesters.

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The Jewish counter-protesters in this case were a group called Betar which makes a point of saying they will not be victims and will resist anti-Semitism with force.

The result of this was some street fighting and chaos with the NYPD trying to keep the two sides apart.

Borough Park is a heavily haredi Orthodox neighborhood, and politicians had warned of unrest ahead of the protest. Betar US, a right-wing pro-Israel group that urges its followers to “fight back” against anti-Israel protesters, counterprotested at the event. “We cannot guarantee the safety of those who threaten Jewish synagogues,” it posted on social media following the event…

At first the groups were separated into two areas. The pro-Palestinian protesters chanted, “Settlers, settlers go back home, Palestine is ours alone,” as well as “Zionists go to hell,” according to the Times of Israel. The Jerusalem Post reported that Betar members called the pro-Palestinian activists “terrorists.”

Violent clashes broke out between the two sides. Footage on social media shows people fighting in the street as police try to separate the brawlers.

Video of some of the fighting.

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There were claims of an attempted stabbing.

And also claims someone tried to run people down with a car. One person was arrested.

However, Fox News reports that person was not arrested for an incident with a car but for assaulting an older Jewish man. Also, they say there’s no evidence anyone was attacked with a knife.

One arrest was made with Anthony Frausto, 42, of Brooklyn, taken into custody and charged with assault after he allegedly punched a 61-year-old man in the face, police told Fox News Digital. The victim was treated by EMS at the scene. 

Footage also shows a large knife on the ground. Police said they were not aware of the knife being used in any attack.

PAL-AWDA posted their own version of events on Instagram claiming they were the victims of an angry mob. Betar seemed okay with that since their main aim is to make the point that Jews are not victims and are prepared to fight back.

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Hakeem Jeffries condemned the pro-Palestinian protest today.

So did Rep. Ritchie Torres.

That’s all I have for now. But it sounds like “pro-Palestinian” protesters aren’t going to be allowed to push their pro-Hamas agenda without a response in some parts of the city anymore.

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