Brooklyn, New York — Tensions over Israeli real estate spilled into the streets of Midwood on Tuesday as anti-settlement demonstrators clashed with police and pro-Israel counter-protesters outside the Young Israel of Midwood synagogue.
The “Great Israeli Real Estate Event,” which promoted properties in Israel, including homes in West Bank settlements, drew sharp opposition from members of PAL-Awda NY/NJ. Activists gathered outside the venue, waving Palestinian flags and, according to witnesses and organizers, some Hezbollah flags, while chanting against what they described as the normalization of settlement expansion.
The protest quickly escalated into physical confrontations. Police deployed more than 400 officers to the scene and closed surrounding streets as scuffles broke out between demonstrators, counter-protesters, and law enforcement. Multiple arrests were reported amid tense moments near families attending the event. Video footage circulating online showed officers forming lines to separate the groups and pushing back aggressive protesters.
Organizers of the real estate expo had promoted the event as an opportunity for potential buyers and investors to explore housing options across Israel. Critics, however, condemned the inclusion of West Bank settlement properties, calling the event provocative.
The incident marks the latest in a series of heated demonstrations targeting Israel-related events in New York City. Just last week, similar protests disrupted an event at a Manhattan synagogue, highlighting deepening divisions within the city’s diverse communities over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Local officials urged calm as the investigation into the clashes continues. NYPD sources confirmed that they are reviewing footage and witness statements to determine the sequence of events and identify those responsible for the violence.
Community leaders on both sides expressed concern that such confrontations, occurring near places of worship and families, risk further inflaming already high tensions in the five boroughs following the October 7, 2023, attacks and the ensuing war in Gaza.
As of Tuesday evening, no official injury tally had been released, though several individuals were seen receiving medical attention at the scene.
