Anti-Israel protesters disrupt Orthodox Jewish group’s DNC side event about domestic antisemitism
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
CHICAGO — A handful of anti-Israel protesters have briefly disrupted an event organized by an Orthodox Jewish group on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention.
The Agudath Israel of America event focuses on growing electoral strength of the Orthodox Jewish community and rising antisemitism in the US.
While the event only mentions Israel in passing, a handful of masked, far-left protesters chant, “Brick by brick, wall by wall, Zionism has got to fall” and shout “shame on you” at participants.
Organizers of Jewish events at the DNC have refrained from publicizing their location ahead of time to avoid such disruptions. The incident appears to be the first time far-left protesters succeed in discovering the site of a Jewish gathering in advance.
The Agudath event saw speeches by Democratic Sen. Debby Stabanow, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and the chairman of the DNC host committee.
"Brick by brick, wall by wall, Zionism has got to fall" — protestors showed up at an event hosted by Agudath Israel, an Orthodox Jewish organization, that is meant to highlight the rise of antisemitism & the growing electoral power of religious Jews pic.twitter.com/hfPU8LeQiN
— Gabby Deutch (@GSDeutch) August 20, 2024
