Actor Michael Rapaport Calls for Hochul Resignation Over Synagogue Protest Masks

Actor Michael Rapaport demanded accountability from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul after anti-Israel protesters in Halloween terror costumes gathered outside a Manhattan synagogue.

"HALLOWEEN SPRING FLING, Now right now in NYC, lunatics dressed in Halloween terra costumes are outside of…. You guessed it a Synagogue in NYC," Rapaport wrote on X alongside a video of the protest. "@GovKathyHochul, you’ve had 3 years to do a mask mandate & see if this stops the bulls---, you did nothing. RESIGN in SHAME," he added.

The confrontation unfolded Tuesday night outside Park East Synagogue. Anti-Israel protesters clashed with New York City Police Department officers while pro-Israel demonstrators nearby waved Israeli and American flags.

Video footage showed officers pushing back a crowd of about 100 demonstrators to separate the opposing groups. Some protesters carried Palestinian flags and wore kaffiyehs while chanting, "Israel should not exist."

The group assembled less than a block from the synagogue, shouting "Palestine will never die" and "Stop the sale of stolen land" as tensions rose.

Pal-Awda NY/NJ organized the demonstration. The group held a similar protest at the same location in November.

That prior event led the New York City Council to pass a measure allowing police to install protective barriers around synagogues during demonstrations. The bill cleared with a veto-proof 44-5 majority.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani did not sign the legislation. It took effect automatically after the April 25 deadline, according to the Post. Officials now apply the measure to balance public protests with security at religious institutions.