Dozens of demonstrators were detained in New York City on Monday during protests calling for an end to U.S. arms sales to Israel and a halt to Washington’s military support for its ally.
Protesters, including members of Jewish Voice for Peace, gathered near the offices of senior lawmakers, demanding an immediate shift in U.S. foreign policy. The group said around 90 people were detained during the demonstrations, though the New York City Police Department confirmed “multiple” arrests without specifying a number.
Among those detained was Chelsea Manning, a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst known for leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks.
Video footage from the protests showed large crowds assembling near the offices of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “stop the bombs,” “end the killings,” and “free Palestine,” while condemning U.S.-Israeli military actions in the Middle East.
Participants also voiced opposition to recent strikes involving Iran, as well as Israeli military operations in Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Chants including “let Gaza live,” “let Iran live,” and “let Lebanon live” echoed through the streets.
The protests come amid heightened tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year, which triggered retaliatory attacks by Tehran. The escalating conflict has contributed to widespread casualties and displacement across the region.
The administration of Donald Trump has faced criticism over its response to growing antiwar demonstrations. Measures such as potential deportations of foreign students, threats to cut university funding, and increased scrutiny of immigrants’ online activity have sparked legal challenges and backlash from civil rights advocates.
New York City was a major center of pro-Palestinian protests throughout 2024, and Monday’s demonstrations highlight ongoing public concern over U.S. military involvement in the region.
U.S. support for Israel has drawn increased scrutiny from human rights organizations amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, mass displacement, and a severe humanitarian crisis.
Israel maintains that its actions are in self-defense following the October 2023 attack by Hamas militants that killed around 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage.