Hundreds of Jewish activists, allies arrested at New York anti-Israel protest

Police say they arrested more than 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators who staged a sit-in outside the New York Stock Exchange to demand an end to US support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

The protesters, many of them from activist groups such as Jewish Voice for Peace, chanted “let Gaza live” and “stop funding genocide” in front of the exchange’s iconic building near Wall Street, in lower Manhattan.

None of the protesters got inside the stock exchange but dozens crossed a police security fence set up outside its main building on Broad Street.

HAPPENING NOW: OVER 500 JEWS AND ALLIES SHUT DOWN THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE FOR GAZA. “GAZA BOMBED, WALL STREET BOOMS. FUND HEALTHCARE, HOUSING, FEMA, NOT GENOCIDE.” @jvplive @jvpliveNY pic.twitter.com/ztCcZPZam8

— Jason Rosenberg (@mynameisjro) October 14, 2024

A police spokesperson says 206 arrests were made, without providing details. Jewish groups involved with the protests say around 500 demonstrators attended. The stock exchange has no immediate comment.

The protesters directed anger at American defense contractors and weapons manufacturers. Others chanted slogans against Israeli attacks in Lebanon, where Israel says it is waging war against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.

NYPD ESU & SRG have been arresting @jvpliveNY for the past half hour and are about a third of the way through protestors in the interior gates outside the New York Stock Exchange.

Many are going limp instead of walking out, which seems to be slowing the arrest process. https://t.co/8juNbhjMuv pic.twitter.com/no2T4TVkUm

— Talia Jane ❤️‍???? (@taliaotg) October 14, 2024

“(Hundreds) of Jews and friends are shutting down the New York Stock Exchange to demand the U.S. stop arming Israel and profiting from genocide,” Jewish Voice for Peace says on X. Israel denies genocide allegations at the World Court, and says its military operations in Gaza targets Hamas terrorists.

There were also a much smaller number of pro-Israel counter-protesters at the site carrying Israeli flags.