Anti-Israel Protests Erupt in NYC on Oct. 7 Anniversary

Hundreds of anti-Israel protesters gathered across New York City on Wednesday, marking the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack with demonstrations at several universities and City Hall.

At New York University, students organized by NYU Students for Justice in Palestine held a rally in Washington Square Park as part of a "Rage Week" aimed at condemning the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Demonstrators, many wearing keffiyehs, carried banners calling for NYU to "divest" and close its Tel Aviv campus. Chants included "Long live the intifada" and "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

Andrew Ross, an NYU professor and member of Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, addressed the crowd, suggesting that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) may have been responsible for the deaths of some Israeli civilians during the Oct. 7 attacks. Ross cited a controversial interpretation of the Hannibal Directive, a military protocol intended to prevent soldiers from being captured, claiming it was applied to civilians and resulted in their deaths at the hands of Israeli forces. He also asserted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected peace deals to destroy Gaza and blamed Israel for the war's duration.

His remarks were interrupted by NYU senior Ariella Cojab, who challenged his statements, stating that the documented atrocities committed by Hamas, including rape, constituted war crimes and were not acts of resistance.

Demonstrations also occurred at Columbia University, where students walked out of classes. Protesters chanted slogans such as "From water to water, Palestine will be Arab" and "Resistance is justified when people are occupied!" Columbia was previously the site of a significant encampment protest in 2024.

Separately, approximately 125 protesters gathered outside City Hall, criticizing Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his stance on Palestinian causes. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and chanted for the mayor to "take a side." One protester held a sign depicting Mamdani with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Rabbi Yitzchok Deutsch of Jews United Against Zionism criticized the timing of the protests, arguing that the Oct. 7 anniversary was being used by Zionists to justify the war. He stated that Zionism was responsible for bloodshed on both sides.

John King of UAW Labor for Palestine, a group representing United Auto Workers members, called for Mayor Mamdani to ensure New York City divests from Israel, citing similar actions in other communities.

NYU did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Professor Ross's statements.