Anti-Israel protestors gathered in Times Square on New Year’s Day, waving Palestinian flags and calling for an “intifada revolution” on the same day as a terrorist attack in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The protest was organized by groups like the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, with participants chanting slogans like “There is only one solution: Intifada revolution.” Protestors carried signs with messages like “End All US aid to Israel,” “End Zionism,” and “No war on Iran.”
During the protest, a female demonstrator wearing a keffiyeh shouted at counter-protestors, telling them to “Go back to Europe.” One speaker at the event declared that “2024 was a year of struggle against the crime of Zionism.” The crowd also chanted “We will honor all our martyrs.” The protestors vowed to continue protesting every year until there is total liberation and return.
The demonstration in Times Square came just hours after a suspected terrorist, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, carried out a deadly car attack in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Jabbar drove a pickup truck with an ISIS flag into New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 people. He was later shot dead by police after a gunfight, and three improvised pipe bombs were found near the scene. The FBI is investigating for any possible accomplices in the New Orleans attack.
Jabbar, a US-born military veteran, lived in a trailer-park community in Houston that is predominantly populated by Muslim immigrants. His home was located within walking distance of a local mosque. Jabbar had traveled to Egypt for 10 days the previous year and had served in the US Army from 2007 to 2020. The demonstration in Times Square and the terrorist attack in New Orleans both highlighted ongoing tensions and conflicts surrounding issues related to Israel, Zionism, and US foreign policy within the Palestinian and Muslim communities.
The anti-Israel protest in Times Square was marked by intense emotions and rhetoric, with sentiments running high on both sides of the issue. The protestors called for an “intifada revolution” and declared their commitment to fighting against Zionism and US support for Israel. The counter-protestors were also vocal in their opposition, leading to heated exchanges between the two groups. The event underscored the deep divisions and strong passions that exist regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and related issues.
The terrorist attack in New Orleans added another layer of complexity to the situation, with fears of further violence and potential terrorist threats. The attack, carried out by Jabbar, who had ties to the Muslim community, raised concerns about the radicalization of individuals and the need for increased security measures. The FBI’s investigation into the incident highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism and the challenges of addressing extremism in the current climate. The events in Times Square and New Orleans served as stark reminders of the ongoing conflicts and tensions in the region and the broader implications for global security and stability.
