US law enforcement stepped up measures to protect Jewish and Muslim communities on Friday amid global protests over Arab-Israeli bloodshed in the Middle East, as thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets in the city from New York.
Crowds of protesters gathered near Times Square in Manhattan, calling for Palestinian independence and condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as his government stepped up attacks on the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a wave of surprise attacks by Hamas against Israel.
The protesters, many wearing masks to hide their identities out of what they said were concerns for their safety, chanted slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Netanyahu, what do you say? How many children have you killed today?” “
The demonstration came as police in New York and other US cities said they were increasing patrols around synagogues, mosques and other Jewish and Muslim institutions, although authorities insisted they were unaware of no specific threat.
In recent days, Israel has stepped up its bombing of Gaza in response to attacks in southern Israel last weekend by gunmen from the militant group Hamas, which governs the coastal Palestinian enclave, seized from Egypt by Israel in 1967 .
The Hamas attack killed at least 1,300 Israelis, the bloodiest in its history against the Jewish state. Israel has since killed at least 1,900 Palestinians in airstrikes in Gaza and given more than 1 million residents in the northern half of the enclave 24 hours to flee south and avoid an attack.
In addition to demonstrations in the United States, tens of thousands of protesters have gathered across the Middle East and parts of Asia and Europe to support the Palestinians and condemn Israel.
New York police were out in force, keeping a conspicuous profile behind barriers on the fringes of the noisy but peaceful demonstration in Times Square as thousands of people shouted, beat drums and waved pro-Palestinian flags and signs.
The only counter-demonstration immediately visible in the city on Friday was a very small group waving Israeli flags on 42nd Street.
In Washington, a demonstration in support of Israel and the American Jewish community gathered about 200 people in Freedom Plaza, in front of the Capitol, where police had erected protective fences the night before.
Ron Halber, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, criticized the ceasefire calls and responded to criticism that Israel was using disproportionate force.
Halber said Saturday’s attacks demonstrated that using “equal force” against an enemy like Hamas is ineffective.
Source: Terra
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