Pro-Palestinian rioters vandalized a police cruiser in New York City on Thursday as they expressed their opposition to Israel and demanded an immediate cease-fire. The incident occurred when a group occupied the lobby of the New York Times building and spray-painted “Free Gaza” on an NYPD vehicle. Additionally, the words “KKK” and “IDF” (referring to the Israel Defense Forces) were also spray-painted on the cruiser. Reports indicate that a smoke bomb was set off nearby. The NYPD has been contacted for further information.
The protesters were calling for Israel to halt its bombardment of the Gaza Strip in response to the brutal attacks by Hamas terrorists on Israeli communities on October 7. They emphasized that the lives of the 2 million people living in Gaza also matter and accused the media of complicity in “laundering genocide.” The group, known as the “Writers Bloc,” read off the names of Palestinians skilled in Gaza, including 36 journalists who were allegedly killed since the war began. They urged the Times editorial board to issue a call for a cease-fire.
Similar demonstrations have taken place in cities around the world, with pro-Palestinian supporters criticizing Israel’s actions. Many believe that Israel’s claims of self-defense are no longer valid, as innocent people continue to be killed. The protest at The Times building is part of a series of actions at prominent locations in New York aimed at drawing attention to the rising death toll in Gaza.
In recent weeks, activists from the group Jewish Voice for Peace briefly took over the Statue of Liberty, and hundreds of people gathered at Grand Central Terminal, causing disruptions during rush hour, to demand a cease-fire. According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, more than 10,800 people have been killed since the October 7th massacre by Hamas, including at least 1,400 people in Israel.
The situation remains tense, and the international community is closely monitoring developments. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
