More than 40 protesters were arrested outside the Trump International Hotel in New York during a Jewish-led demonstration organized by IfNotNow against the war on Gaza.
More than 40 people were arrested Monday evening outside the Trump International Hotel in New York City during a protest against the war and worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The demonstration, organized by IfNotNow, a Jewish-American anti-occupation group, began earlier at Columbus Circle, gathering hundreds under the banner: “Trump: Jews Say No More.”
The protest called for an immediate end to the war on Gaza, demanding that the US government pressure “Israel” to allow humanitarian aid into the territory, where health officials continue to report deaths caused by starvation and malnutrition.
“Let’s not mince words, the Israeli government’s blockade of Gaza is a policy of ethnic cleansing by way of forced mass starvation,” said Morriah Kaplan, interim executive director of IfNotNow.
“It is an unbearable, unspeakable, unfathomable affront to our shared humanity and those who are carrying it out and are deploying our Jewish symbols, language, and traditions to defend and justify it,” she added. “Which is why I’m heartened to see such a range of Jews and Jewish organizations coming together today to say with one voice that we oppose these atrocities, not in spite of our Judaism, but for many of us, because of it.”
Kaplan called on the US government to use its influence to halt the ongoing attacks, adding, “We need the US government to use its considerable leverage to end these horrors,” she said.
Arrests follow demonstration at Trump International Hotel
Additionally, protesters held signs reading “stop ethnic cleansing,” “never again is now,” “stop starving Gaza,” and “not in our name.” Speakers included Ruth Messinger, T’ruah CEO Rabbi Jill Jacobs, and Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller.
“Yesterday was the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av in which Jews mourn the destruction of the people of Israel,” Lander said. “And what we’re witnessing right now is destruction caused by the State of Israel.”