VIDEO. Israel-Hamas War: Pro-Palestinian Demonstration Degenerates in New York

“Stop, I beg you!” – the young woman in the keffiyeh pleads in a broken voice. As he watched, a protester was brutally knocked to the ground by an NYPD officer. The scene takes place meters from the lighting ceremony of the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, where young and old have gathered to watch the annual spectacle. Two rooms, two atmospheres. On Wednesday, November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, more than 1,000 people gathered in New York to protect the people of Gaza. Organizers announced their intention to hold the demonstration earlier this week. “All we are asking is an end to the bombing of Gaza, an end to the siege and blockade that continues to strangle the Palestinian people,” explains Nardin Kiswani, a spokesman for Within Our Lives.

Accordingly, the police increased their presence. “We try to stay calm, let them move, let them exercise their rights. When incidents occur, we do everything we can to ensure everyone’s safety,” said Jeffrey Maddrey, Chief of the New York Police Department. However, clashes occurred between demonstrators and police. The fight broke out over a sign depicting a swastika and linking the Israeli army with the Nazis. The demonstrators managed to cross the barricades and physically confront the police. Five to seven people were detained.