Anti-Israel Protesters Clash with Police Outside Manhattan Synagogue

Anti-Israel agitators clashed with law enforcement outside a Manhattan synagogue on Tuesday night while pro-Israel demonstrators waved Israeli and American flags nearby.

Video from the protest showed New York City police officers pushing back the anti-Israel group of about 100 people to establish a street-wide separation between the opposing sides. The agitators waved Palestinian flags, wore keffiyehs and repeatedly shouted, "Israel should not exist."

Gathered less than a block from the Park East Synagogue, the group chanted, "Palestine will never die," and "Stop the sale of stolen land."

Pal-Awda NY/NJ organized the protest. The group held a similar demonstration outside the same synagogue in November, according to the New York Post.

New York City Council passed legislation after that November event to let the NYPD place barriers around synagogues for congregant protection. Officers enforced such a barrier during Tuesday night's clash.

The council approved the measure by a veto-proof 44-5 vote. Mayor Zohran Mamdani refused to sign it and let it become law automatically on April 25, the Post reported.

The Anti-Defamation League issued its annual report Wednesday. It found 2025 marked one of the most violent periods for American Jews.

Assaults against Jews rose to 203 from 196 the previous year. Assaults with deadly weapons increased from 23 to 32.

Non-violent antisemitic incidents fell, however. Harassment dropped 39 percent and vandalism 21 percent since 2024.

"Our 2025 Audit, which shows it was one of the most violent years for American Jews on record is a reminder of how dramatically the threat landscape has shifted. Numbers that would have shocked us five years ago are now our floor," ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said.

The ADL audit covers criminal and non-criminal acts of harassment, vandalism and assault reported to the group by victims, law enforcement, media and partners, then evaluated by ADL experts.