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Edited by: TJVNews.com
Mass anti-Israel protests orchestrated by at least six radical groups brought traffic to a standstill in Manhattan on Monday, marking a significant escalation in their tactics, according to experts. As was reported by the New York Post, the disruptive demonstrations, which targeted major bridges and tunnels, were coordinated secretly and featured the involvement of prominent figures like actress Susan Sarandon and political figure Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Analysts suggest that these actions not only showcase a new level of disruption but also highlight potential backchannels between these groups, with warnings of more disruptive events in the future, the Post report added.
At the heart of Monday’s disruptions were six radical anti-Israel groups, identified as the Palestinian Youth Movement, Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) – New York branch, Writers Against War On Gaza, Jewish Voice for Peace, Al-Awda, and Critical Resistance, as noted in the Post report. These groups reportedly collaborated to form what they termed “an autonomous collective,” leveraging their combined efforts to bring Manhattan traffic to a halt.
JVP claims more than 300,000 supporters, has 1 million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, and maintains chapters on many U.S. college campuses, according to the Post report. Its Columbia University chapter was suspended in November for allegedly violating university policies on holding campus events.
According to the report in the Post, the protests targeted key transportation arteries, including the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges, along with the Holland Tunnel.
The groups behind the disruptive protests not only coordinated their actions but also utilized social media platforms to broadcast glossy films showcasing the chaos they caused. Notably, Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon, who has been associated with anti-Israel sentiments in the past, lent her star power to the cause, as was indicated in the Post report. The involvement of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent member of the Democratic Socialists of America, further underlines the high-profile support behind the protests.
Justin Finkelstein, an analyst with the Center on Extremism at the Anti-Defamation League, characterized the protests as the most disruptive he has seen, suggesting a deliberate attempt to gain visibility for the pro-Hamas, pro-terror cause. The report in the Post said that Finkelstein highlighted the potential existence of secret backchannels between the participating groups. He noted that the goal of these actions is to raise awareness of the Palestinian cause by directly impacting the daily lives of New Yorkers.
Experts are warning that these disruptive protests may be just the beginning, with more attempts to interrupt ordinary people’s lives likely in the future. The Post also said that Finkelstein emphasized that any action that garners visibility is something these groups might consider, signaling potential challenges for law enforcement and city officials in the days ahead.
The six groups involved in the protests boast connections to influential figures such as Tony Kushner, the playwright of “Angels in America,” and affiliations with prestigious institutions of higher learning such as Yale, Brown, and UCLA, according to the report in the Post. Moreover, funding sources include the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, a Rockefeller family foundation, and the charitable arm of investment company Charles Schwab, further highlighting the multifaceted nature of support for these anti-Israel groups.
The rancorous protests resulted in 334 arrests, with the vast majority of protesters concealing their identities behind masks and traditional Palestinian keffiyehs, the Post report indicated. Some individuals even encased their hands in concrete-filled tires.
