What began as a high-profile visit by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has descended into chaos, as hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters converged outside the iconic Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway this evening, triggering confrontations, shouting matches, and reports of physical altercations with Lubavitcher bochurim.
The unrest follows a whirlwind 24 hours for Ben-Gvir, a polarizing figure in Israeli politics known for his hardline views, whose presence has ignited fierce backlash across multiple New York City stops. On Wednesday night, Ben-Gvir was met with loud protests and jeering at Yale University, where demonstrators interrupted his address with chants and disruptions. Earlier today, during a visit to Wall Street Grill in Manhattan, a Palestinian supporter breached security and began screaming at the minister before being physically removed from the premises.
But it was this eveningโs surprise stop at 770 that brought tensions to a boiling point. As news of Ben-Gvirโs presence spread, protesters rapidly descended on the area, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans.
Ben-Gvir later went to dine at Essen, a popular Flatbush restaurant known for hosting Israeli officials and askanim. Ben Gvir arrived there at 11:30PM under heavy security.
SEE IT: The crowds outside Essen Restaurant in Flatbush as Ben Gvir arrived.
A highly anticipated appearance by Ben-Gvir at the Young Israel of Woodmere has also been canceled due to similar safety concerns. Organizers cited threats of large-scale demonstrations and the risk of violence, echoing the same warnings issued by New York City police.
Back in Crown Heights, the streets around 770 remain tense. The NYPD have declared a Level 2 Mobilization, bring in hundreds of officers in an attempt to keep the peace – or whatever is left of it.
While at Wall Street Grill restaurant in NYC, Ben Gvirโs security had to physically remove a pro-Palestinian protester.
WATCH: “You’re a Nazi.” Ben Gvir was confronted repeatedly for 8 minutes as he walked through Wall Street after leaving a restaurant. Gvir was surrounded by private security and NYPD as he walked with a smile, waving, confronted by opposition.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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3 Responses
Two peas in a pod. Ben Gvir and the Palestine supporters deserve each other.
He came back and gave a great speech please post the speech
Moderators Note: It has been published.
It was awesome. There was about two thousand young Chabad boys n the street. All of a sudden about two hundred very tough looking chassidim came and charged into the Arab crowd as the thousands of others joined them. The Arabs were crushed. It was amazing. Itโs like a new generation of young idealistic Jews. It was a scene that was awesome. Meanwhile inside 770 shul Ben Gevir was holding a speech to a pact crowd of hundreds.