The Israeli flag was burnt by a crowd of pro-Palestine protesters gathered at Columbus Circle in New York City on Friday evening, with the activists demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and condemning ‘Genocide Joe’ for failing to back their calls.
Biden and his team have urged ‘humanitarian pauses’, to allow aid in to Gaza and the evacuation of the severely wounded. But they have refused to take up growing calls for a ceasefire, arguing that a ceasefire would indicate a permanent cessation of hostilities – impossible, they say, while Hamas remains in power.
Friday’s protest was organized by the group Within Our Lifetime, with the slogan: ‘Flood Manhattan for Gaza’, and they marched with a banner proclaiming: ‘Honor the martyrs of Palestine’.
Protesters waved Palestinian flags and held placards accusing Israel and Joe Biden of a genocide, with one reading: ‘Genocide Joe has got to go.’
Pro-Palestine protesters burned the Israeli flag in New York City on Friday evening
A woman is seen standing on top of a car during Friday’s protest in Manhattan
A large crowd descended on Columbus Circle on Friday evening, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza
A Christian Dior store near Columbus Circle was covered with pro-Palestine stickers,
The Hamas terrorist attack of October 7 killed 1,200 Israelis: Israel in response began a bombardment of Gaza that has killed 11,000.
Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, said on Friday that ‘far too many Palestinians have been killed’ in Gaza – the latest sign that the Biden administration is growing increasingly frustrated with Israel’s tactics.
‘Much more needs to be done to protect civilians and to make sure that humanitarian assistance reaches them,’ said Blinken, speaking to the media in New Delhi after a diplomatic tour through Middle Eastern and Asian nations.
‘Far too many Palestinians have been killed. Far too many have suffered these past weeks.
‘And we want to do everything possible to prevent harm to them and to maximize the assistance that gets to them.’
Activists in New York City on Friday night demanded an end to the Israel-Hamas war
A protester is seen draped in the Palestinian flag in Manhattan on Friday night
The protesters brought a screen to the site, referencing the terrible toll among journalists. A total of 41 journalists have so far been killed in the Israel-Hamas war – 36 among them are Palestinian reporters killed by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip
A small child is seen among the protesters in Manhattan on Friday night
The White House is aware that it is hemorrhaging support among some sectors as a result of their seeming endorsement of Israel’s activities. The Biden administration is walking a fine line between supporting Israel’s government, and urging restraint in their response to the terror attack.
Biden himself publicly told the Israelis, during his visit to Tel Aviv, to learn from the United States’ mistakes after 9/11, and not be blinded by rage.
On Friday, a crowd of several hundred made their anger at the U.S. position known.
There have been no arrests reported as of 6pm EST, but NYPD wrote on X: ‘Protest Activity: Expect traffic delays & emergency personnel near 59th Street and Columbus Circle in Manhattan. Use alternate routes.’