In a shocking display of protest, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets of New York City on Monday to “cancel” Christmas. Carrying a blood-red mock Nativity scene and chanting "Christmas is canceled here," the protesters converged on Midtown, causing chaos amidst the holiday revelers. The scene at Rockefeller Center, where the famous Christmas Tree stands, turned chaotic as the crowd of about 500 demonstrators chanted in Arabic, "Long live the intifada," which translates to “rebellion” or "uprising."

The protesters carried signs with powerful messages, such as "While Ur Shopping Bombs are Dropping" and "No Joy In Genocide." The faux Nativity scene they carried was splattered in what appeared to be fake blood, adding to the intensity of their message. Scuffles broke out as night fell, including outside St. Patrick's Cathedral, prompting the police to intervene and make several arrests. Law enforcement sources reported at least six arrests, including charges of disorderly conduct, menacing, and graffiti, as clashes between protesters and police continued near Grand Central Station and Union Square.

Even as the crowd thinned at Union Square, dozens of protesters remained, waving Palestinian flags. One person was seen being arrested by the police, while others left stickers with messages like "Zionism is terrorism" and “Free Palestine” on the exterior of the Union Square Holiday Market. Some individuals took it a step further by scrawling pro-Palestine slogans on the walls, including "From NY to Gaza, Globalize the Intifada," "Netanyahu is a warmonger," and "Israel kills babies."

This demonstration is just the latest in a series of anti-Israel protests that have occurred in New York City following the Oct. 7 sneak attack by Hamas, which triggered Israel's retaliatory strike in the Gaza Strip. The previous night, a pro-Palestinian car caravan disrupted Christmas carolers at Washington Square Park, blaring music to dampen the holiday spirit.

The Christmas Day protest targeted Manhattan areas popular with holiday revelers and tourists, prompting heightened security measures around the News Corp headquarters on Sixth Avenue. This building houses Fox News, The Post, the Wall Street Journal, and other media outlets owned by the company. It has been targeted by protesters in the past, including a storming of the building on Nov. 29, during which at least one person was seen carrying a swastika. On that occasion, the protesters were prevented from reaching Rockefeller Center, resulting in several arrests and clashes with the police. The unrest continued on Nov. 17 when a smaller group targeted the building, with some forcing their way into the lobby. The protesters accused Fox News of "covering up genocide."

The calls to target media organizations like News Corp have come from Within Our Lifetime, a pro-Palestinian group that identified the company as an "enemy of both the Palestinian people and colonized people all over the world." The group's actions reflect a disturbing escalation of tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, leading to a global surge in antisemitism.

As the investigation into Monday's protest continues, the NYPD has confirmed several arrests and stated that one officer sustained a shoulder injury. This demonstration follows previous disruptions by pro-Palestinian activists, including the disruption of transportation hubs like Penn Station, Grand Central Station, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Last month, anti-Israel activists also disrupted the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a significant loss of life on both sides, with Israel vowing to wipe out Hamas after their surprise attack on Oct. 7. The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza has reported over 17,700 Palestinian deaths since the war began.

The incident on Monday highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the global rise in antisemitism. It also raises concerns about the safety and security of public spaces during the holiday season, as well as the targeting of media organizations by protesters with radical ideologies.