Surge in Protests in US Cities in Support of Palestinians Amid Israeli-Hamas Battle

As the battle between Israeli forces and Hamas continues to escalate, several cities in the United States have witnessed a surge in protests in support of Palestinians, despite the ongoing attacks on Israel. On Monday, various groups took to the streets in several American cities to express their solidarity with Palestinians and condemn Israel for its retaliatory airstrikes and military operations following a surprise deadly attack by Hamas against Israeli civilians over the weekend. The surge in support for Palestinians comes at a time when the United States, an important ally of Israel in the Middle East, is grappling with the aftermath of the deadly attacks.

In New York City, supporters of both Israel and Palestine gathered on Monday as Israel wages a battle against Hamas terrorists and targets the group in the Gaza Strip. Amid the protests, tensions ran high, with shouting matches erupting between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian supporters. The police intervened to prevent any physical confrontations, and several skirmishes were quickly diffused.

Over the weekend, a protest organized by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a group that includes six members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including prominent figures known as "the Squad," took place in Times Square, New York. The protest then proceeded down 42nd Street to Bryant Park, close to the Israeli Consulate. The DSA faced widespread condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans for blaming Israel for the attack. In a social media post, the DSA claimed that the events were a direct consequence of Israel's "apartheid regime," which receives significant funding from the United States.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted when Hamas launched thousands of missiles at Israel, as well as invaded towns along the Gaza border on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least 700 people, a death toll not seen in Israel for decades. Thousands more were wounded, and Israel declared war against the Iran-backed group. Israel accused Hamas of taking hostages, including young children. The number of casualties has now exceeded 1,600, with thousands wounded on both sides.

Supporters of Palestine are calling on Israel to halt the killing of civilians, as numerous buildings have been destroyed during continuous airstrikes on Hamas positions in the densely populated Gaza Strip. Many supporters argue that the media coverage of the conflict has been one-sided, with their suffering receiving less attention compared to that of their Israeli counterparts.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly informed President Biden that a ground operation in the Gaza Strip is necessary in response to the deadly strikes by Hamas. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel did not initiate the war but would ensure its completion, asserting that Hamas had made a "mistake of historic proportions" and promising to exact a price that would be remembered for decades.

The clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian supporters also occurred in other cities, such as Tampa, Florida, and Kirkland, Washington. In Tampa, fights broke out between the two sides, and the police worked to separate them. Similar confrontations occurred in Kirkland as well.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the rally in support of Palestinians, describing it as "abhorrent and morally repugnant." Despite her disapproval, hundreds of protesters gathered in New York City on Sunday to express their solidarity with Palestinians. The NYPD estimated that around 1,000 protesters participated in the rally. The demonstrators chanted slogans calling for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and asserting that "Resistance is justified when people are occupied." The rally prompted a counter-protest from supporters of Israel, with police erecting barriers to separate the opposing groups.

In a separate development, a former New York City television news reporter, Rebecca Solomon, found herself stranded in Israel following the Hamas attack. Solomon, who had recently left her job at PIX11, was visiting the country with her husband and 8-month-old baby to celebrate the Jewish holidays. She described the fear and uncertainty they experienced during the attack and expressed gratitude for the Iron Dome missile defense system that protected them. Solomon's family was eventually able to secure a flight back to New York, and she expressed relief at being able to return when the situation in Israel improves.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has sparked widespread protests and demonstrations around the world, with supporters on both sides voicing their concerns and demands. The situation remains tense, with no immediate resolution in sight.