Chaos ensues as anti-Israel protestors clash with police in Brooklyn’s streets, at least 19 arrested

On Saturday night, thousands of anti-Israel protestors clashed with police during a demonstration in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn that ended with 19 adults and three minors being arrested, New York Daily News reports. 

The protest became more heated with police as they tried to get people to leave the area, according to the Daily Mail. Protesters chanted, "Move, cops, get out the way. We know you're Israeli-trained" as they became more unruly. 

"Say it loud, say it clear, we don’t want no Zionists here," was another chant that could be heard. Others included, "We will free Palestine within our lifetime, "We stand with Palestine" and "Once upon a time... There was humanity." 

An NYPD spokesperson told New York Daily News that the protesters didn't have a permit to protest, and while many were "mostly peaceful" some "chose to act in a combative and aggressive manner."

"Officers were pushed, shoved, and struck by some demonstrators within the crowd after the LRAD (long-range acoustic device) device was utilized," the NYPD revealed in a statement. "Officers were struck with flying debris which included eggs, fireworks, and bottles."

In videos of the incident, police were seen throwing punches at protestors who were failing to comply with orders. The NYPD said, in response, "In the course of doing so, the officer seen in the video is reacting to active resistance by criminals within the crowd." 

"The NYPD encourages peaceful protests but will not condone our officers being subjected to any form of violence," it said. 

Southern Brooklyn Councilman Ari Kagan (R) called the demonstration a "shameful pro-Hamas & anti-Israel rally." He said, "Today in Bay Ridge there was a rally against ‘Genocide in Gaza’. No speaker mentioned HAMAS atrocities against innocent Israeli civilians. And the crowd chanted HAMAS slogan: ‘From the river to the sea Palestine will be free!’ — advocating for the eradication of Jews from Israel."

This is not the only anti-Israel protest that has seen multiple arrests in recent days. On Friday, over 150 protesters were arrested in Manhattan for sitting in the road, blocking traffic, and refusing to move when ordered to by police.