On Sunday, Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York was booed at a demonstration in Manhattan calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas. During his speech, he encouraged attendees to also advocate for humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. While some in the crowd applauded, others began to boo as he emphasized the importance of aiding the Palestinian people. The heckling grew louder until the end of his remarks, with some chanting “bring them home” or “shame.”
The event took place at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, near the UN headquarters, and drew a crowd of thousands to mark six months since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Participants arrived holding Israeli flags and signs that read “Bring them home now.” The demonstration was organized by over 150 organizations, including synagogues, pro-Israel groups, and the New York chapter of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Approximately 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, according to Israeli authorities.
Nadler, who was introduced as a strong supporter of Israel and fighter of antisemitism, was among the speakers at the event, which also included family members of hostages and former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett. The response to Nadler’s speech highlighted a divide among Jewish New Yorkers over Israel’s war against Hamas, with some rejecting any criticism of Israel and others advocating for a cease-fire. Activist groups like Jewish Voice for Peace have denounced the Israeli and US governments for the mounting death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Organizers of the event stressed that the minority who booed Nadler did not represent the Hostages Families Forum or the families themselves. They emphasized the importance of unity in advocating for the release of the hostages and thanked Nadler for his support in the fight to bring every one of them back home. Robert Gottheim, Nadler’s chief of staff, stated that advocating for humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people is a fundamental principle.
Despite the interruption, Nadler continued his speech and referenced the story of Passover before wrapping up his remarks. Gottheim noted that the congressman’s main message was to bring the hostages back home. The demonstration also featured an installation symbolizing the suffering of those still in captivity, with seven people sitting inside dog cages wrapped in chains and three others standing nearby with their hands chained together, all dressed in white clothes with red paint smeared across their bodies.
