NYC synagogue protest group cancels rally that drew alarm from Jews

An anti-Zionist activist group that has led vitriolic protests against synagogues cancels a rally against an Israel immigration event in New York City.

The protest drew alarm from New York City Jews and was seen as a potential challenge for Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The activist group, Pal-Awda, protested outside Manhattan’s Park East Synagogue in November against an event hosted by Nefesh B’nefesh, a group that facilitates immigration to Israel.

At the protest, attendees harassed and threatened attendees and other Jews, sparking an uproar.

Pal-Awda announced a protest for Wednesday evening against another Nefesh B’nefesh event, without announcing the location. The group says the protest was canceled less than hour before it was due to begin.

It wasn’t clear if the protest would have been at a synagogue, or if Pal-Awda was able to identify the location of the Nefesh B’nefesh event, which was not canceled.

“Because of our announced protest, settler agency Nefesh B’Nefesh has been forced into the shadows. Their extreme vetting of attendees has hampered their outreach and vastly limited their ability to recruit settlers,” Pal-Awda says in a statement. “Although NBN is still holding their event, their reach and attendance has been diminished.”

Nefesh B’nefesh is not a “settler agency” and does not direct immigrants to settlements.

A Nefesh B’nefesh organizer declines to comment.

Pal-Awda has announced a separate protest on Thursday against an Israel real estate event in Queens, without providing the exact location.