Jewish Anti-Israel Demonstrators Arrested En Masse at Raucous Protest at NYSE

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a reprehensible display of animus towards Israel, over 200 Jewish anti-Israel protesters were arrested on Monday following a large-scale demonstration at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), according to reports from The New York Post. The protest, organized by the group known as Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), saw hundreds of activists converge on the iconic financial institution in Lower Manhattan, culminating in a sit-in that disrupted normal operations and led to a significant police response.

JVP has chained themselves to the doors of the NY Stock Exchange on behalf of the people of Gaza.

You know… because these are mainstream Jewish values. Right? pic.twitter.com/rgai7Quz1i

— Jason Curtis Anderson (@JCAndersonNYC) October 14, 2024

The New York Post report indicated that the demonstration began just before the opening bell at 9:30 a.m., as scores of protesters, identifiable by their red shirts, rushed towards the NYSE building on Broad Street. In a strategic move, some demonstrators had reportedly concealed their protest attire under jackets, potentially to avoid early detection. Once in position, the Jewish self haters swiftly removed their outer layers and proceeded to chain themselves to the doors of the exchange, as captured in footage obtained by The New York Post.

The protest quickly gained momentum, with participants chanting “Free Palestine” and displaying signs with messages such as “Jews for Palestine’s freedom.” According to the information provided in The New York Post report, the demonstrators also called for a redirection of government funds, demanding to “fund FEMA, not genocide.” In a symbolic gesture that summed up the protest’s message, activists dressed the nearby Fearless Girl statue in one of their shirts bearing the slogan “Stop arming Israel,” further amplifying their palpable hatred for Israel.

BREAKING: A group of Jewish-led protesters in Lower Manhattan just stormed the New York Stock Exchange.

They’re calling for an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza and to war profiteering by companies like Raytheon and Lockheed Martin pic.twitter.com/YcjBCJNxFX

— Noah Hurowitz (@NoahHurowitz) October 14, 2024

As the situation unfolded, law enforcement responded in force. The New York Post reported that approximately 206 protesters were arrested, with police officers seen handcuffing multiple individuals and transporting them away in Department of Correction buses. Beth Miller, the political director of JVP, told The New York Post that the crowd had swelled to an estimated 500 people before dispersing at noon, highlighting the significant scale of the demonstration.

Speaking to The New York Post, Miller elaborated on the motivations behind the protest, stating, “Today there were 500 Jews who came here, in front of the New York Stock Exchange, to shut down business as usual on Wall Street with a message to say the US government should stop sending weapons to the Israeli government and stop profiting from the genocide of Palestinians.” Miller emphasized that the group’s actions were rooted in their Jewish identity, rejecting claims that the Israeli government’s actions were in the interest of Jewish safety.

The New York Post report noted that JVP describes itself as “the largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organization in the world,” claiming a support base of 300,000. However, the group has faced criticism from organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, which has characterized JVP as “a radical anti-Israel and anti-Zionist activist group,” according to information contained in The New York Post report.

“Never again for anyone, never again means now!”

Hundreds of anti-Zionist protesters have locked down the front entrance to the New York Stock Exchange to demand an end to the genocide in Gaza pic.twitter.com/atUsjFzsAe

— Noah Hurowitz (@NoahHurowitz) October 14, 2024

The protest at the NYSE represents a significant escalation in the ongoing debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with The New York Post reporting that JVP’s Columbia University chapter was suspended last year due to similar anti-Israel demonstrations. Financial records cited by The New York Post via ProPublica indicate that JVP reported revenue of nearly $3.32 million in its 2023 federal tax returns, primarily from individual contributions.

The New York Stock Exchange, a symbol of American economic power, declined to comment on the protest, leaving many questions unanswered about the potential impact of such demonstrations on the financial sector and broader public discourse.