Some 5,000 people gathered in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, on Shabbos for a demonstration calling for the destruction of Israel and a withdrawal of U.S. support for the Jewish State. Starting around 2 p.m., the streets and sidewalks of 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue were swarmed with participants of the “Flood Brooklyn for Palestine” rally, marking one of the most significant turnouts in one of New York City’s largest Arab and Middle Eastern communities. “We are calling for full liberation of all of Palestine… to every single inch, from river to the sea,” protesters said, echoing a phrase often associated with Hamas and other anti-Israel organizations. Chants resonated throughout the streets, with phrases such as, “Say it loud, say it clear, we don’t want no Zionists here!” and “We will free Palestine within our lifetime!” Some locals took to social media to express their disapproval. One individual commented, “Whole neighborhood are Hamas supporters. Disgusting,” while another pointed to the group’s actions, stating, “This Bay Ridgeite thinks if Hamas didn’t kill >1,000 civilians, including the beheadings of women and children, they wouldn’t be in this predicament.” The NYPD reported that several protestors were taken into custody. Demonstrations in the city have grown more frequent since the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. In another instance, a Manhattan rally saw pro-Palestinian supporters displaying swastikas and burning the Israeli flag. Furthermore, on Friday, 139 protesters were arrested in Manhattan during a demonstration organized by the Democratic Socialists of America for blocking traffic. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)