Pro-Palestinian protesters ‘cancel Christmas’

A rally in New York City was marred by clashes with police and shouting matches with Israel supporters

Pro-Palestinian supporters in the US attempted to “cancel Christmas” on Monday, stating that there can be no celebration amid the ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza. The event was marred by clashes with the police later in the day, with the NYPD issuing a mobilization of extra forces.

The protest in Manhattan was meant to inspire public solidarity with Palestinians who are being attacked by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Israel is retaliating for the deadly incursion from Gaza by the militant group Hamas on October 7, in which it also took scores of hostages.

The reported civilian death toll in Gaza has since surpassed, by an order of magnitude, the loss of life in that triggering attack. Officials in the enclave reported last week that some 8,000 children are among those killed in the enclave, estimated to be at least 20,000 people. The initial Hamas attack on southern Israel claimed 1,200 lives, according to its tally.

READ MORE: Israel ramping up war effort – Netanyahu

In downtown New York on Monday Pro-Palestinian activists marched to denounce the administration of President Joe Biden, which remains supportive of the Israeli operation, despite criticizing the death toll it has taken on civilians. Some demonstrators carried a mock nativity scene in which baby Jesus was replaced with a fake child’s corpse in a body bag. “No Joy in Genocide,” the slogan above the prop read.

#FreePalestine protesters in NYC are now marching with a Nativity Scene leading the way. NYPD has already been making things difficult. pic.twitter.com/RJOTyreLXE

— Ash J (@AshAgony) December 25, 2023

“While U’r Shopping Bombs are Dropping,” a sign quoted by The New York Post declared. The newspaper described a crowd as “mobbing” the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree as revelers gathered there to celebrate the holiday.

Videos from the scene show passions running high, particularly when persons voicing opposing views on the crisis in Gaza confronted the activists. In one clip, a woman can be seen denouncing them from the sidewalk for supporting “the rape of babies.” 

#Happeningnow an arrest had been made during a Pro-Palestine march in Manhattan called "All Out on Christmas for Gaza."

No clear reason why the man was arrested yet. The group is marching through midtown near Rockefeller Center. pic.twitter.com/5m2J3JET2P

— Oliya Scootercaster