A large anti-Israel protest in Brooklyn’s Borough Park turned violent on Tuesday night, as demonstrators clashed with local Orthodox Jewish residents and police.

The protest, organized by the activist group Pal-Awda, drew around 200 participants who chanted slogans like “Zionists go to hell” and “settlers go back home, Palestine is ours alone,” while waving Palestinian flags.

The demonstration was reportedly in response to a real estate event that activists claimed involved the sale of Palestinian land to Israel. However, what started as a protest quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, with police stepping in to separate the two sides.

Tensions Escalate as Protesters and Residents Clash

Borough Park is home to a large Orthodox Jewish community, and local residents, along with pro-Israel supporters, gathered in response to the protest. The two opposing groups were initially separated by barricades, but tensions boiled over when individuals from both sides confronted each other.

As the situation intensified, videos shared on social media showed physical altercations, with members of the opposing groups engaging in shoving matches and shouting matches. Some demonstrators reportedly flashed obscene gestures at Jewish residents, while others accused them of being responsible for violence in the Middle East.

At one point, a protest organizer was heard shouting through a megaphone, “There is only one solution, intifada revolution,” a chant historically associated with calls for violent uprisings against Israel. Meanwhile, pro-Israel demonstrators waved Israeli flags in defiance, further fueling the charged atmosphere.

Police Intervention and Arrests

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) was present at the scene to prevent the situation from escalating further. Officers worked to break up physical altercations and restore order. One person was arrested during the protest, though details about their charges have not been confirmed by authorities.

Local leaders condemned the violence, calling on city officials to take stronger action against such protests in Jewish neighborhoods. Representative Daniel Goldman criticized the demonstration, stating, “This ‘protest’ is in fact targeted harassment aimed at a neighborhood with one of the highest populations of Orthodox Jews in the U.S.”

Other Jewish advocacy groups also spoke out, accusing the protesters of using the Palestinian cause as a cover for antisemitic rhetoric. The organization End Jew Hatred released a statement, saying, “Hamas apologists and supporters, cloaked in the tired and well-worn pretense of supporting ‘Palestine,’ showed their true nature as violent thugs looking for any reason to attack Jews.”

Broader Context: Growing Unrest in NYC

This latest protest is part of a wave of demonstrations that have taken place in New York City since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Protests supporting both sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict have erupted across the city, often leading to heightened tensions between different communities.

Tuesday’s protest in Borough Park came just hours after Hamas confirmed the deaths of three Israeli hostages, including two children, further intensifying emotions on both sides of the conflict. The announcement of their deaths added to the already charged atmosphere surrounding the Israel-Gaza war, which has led to thousands of casualties.

Community Response and Concerns

Jewish residents of Borough Park expressed fear and frustration over the protest, saying that it felt like an attack on their community. Many argued that demonstrations of this nature should not be allowed in predominantly Jewish neighborhoods, where they could incite violence and provoke residents.

One Borough Park resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated, “This is not just about Israel; this is about Jews being targeted in our own homes. We shouldn’t have to live in fear because of what’s happening overseas.”

Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian activists defended their demonstration, insisting that their protest was against Israeli policies and not against Jewish people. However, the chants and rhetoric used by some participants suggested otherwise, leading to further controversy over the nature of the protest.

As tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict continue to spill over into communities worldwide, incidents like the one in Borough Park highlight the deep divisions and emotions on both sides. While protests are a fundamental right in a democracy, ensuring they do not turn violent or target specific communities remains a growing challenge for authorities.

With more protests expected in the coming weeks, city officials and law enforcement will need to find ways to balance free speech with public safety, preventing such demonstrations from escalating into further unrest.