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| Muslim protesters clash with Borough Park Brooklyn, neighborhood Jews defending a live-in Israel, real-estate fair. (Photo courtesy: The Times of India) |
Last night, the streets of Borough Park, Brooklyn, known for its Orthodox Jewish community, transformed into a battleground of ideologies. On February 18, 2025, the anti-Israel group Pal-Awda organized a protest against a real estate fair turned volatile, leading to clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and local Jewish residents.
Video courtesy: Search Sift
The demonstration was initially set to protest what was described as the sale of "stolen Palestinian land." However, the location near several synagogues in Borough Park sparked immediate concern among community leaders and residents. The chants of "Zionists go to hell" and "settlers settlers go back home, Palestine is ours alone" were not just heard but felt through the neighborhood, escalating tensions.
As the evening progressed, the situation deteriorated. Protesters, shouting slogans like "How many kids did you kill today?" and making offensive gestures towards Jewish residents, crossed the line from political expression into targeted harassment. The Jewish community responded with a demonstration of their own, waving Israeli flags and defended their neighborhood's sacred spaces.
Orthodox Brooklynites defend their neighborhood from anti-Zionists including Neturei Karta Hassids from northern NYC suburbs. Video courtesy: FreedomNews TV / ScooterCaster
The confrontation led to physical altercations. Videos shared on social media captured moments where the crowd broke through police lines, resulting in a scuffle that required immediate intervention by law enforcement. Police arrested Rohann Gill, a 28-year-old Pakistani registered male nurse from Brooklyn. He reportedly spent his summer at a Hamas Youth Camp. He was arrested for reportedly attempting to stab Jewish counter-protesters. The atmosphere remained charged with emotion and fear.
