CROWN HEIGHTS – Six people were arrested Thursday night after anti-Israel protesters clashed with Hasidic Jews outside Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights, where Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was speaking.
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The demonstration began around 9:30 p.m. and quickly escalated. One protester, identified as 28-year-old Oscar Vidal of New Jersey, was charged with assault, criminal mischief, and harassment. Five others were issued summonses and released.
Footage from the scene showed confrontations between demonstrators and local Jewish residents, with at least one protester seen bloodied as police took her into custody. Officers worked to separate the groups as tensions flared.
During the event, a protester managed to enter the synagogue and shouted “Free Palestine” before being removed by security. Ben-Gvir, who remained composed, reportedly smirked as the intruder called him a Nazi.
The incident followed another protest in New Haven the night before, where Ben-Gvir faced similar backlash while visiting an event near Yale University.
A pro-"Palestine"/pro-Hamas "protester" in Crown Heights, NY started hitting and shoving some Jewish residents from the area.
A bunch of young adults quickly stepped in, his bandana became undone – revealing his identity, so he ran away while attempting to cover his face.
A few… pic.twitter.com/VZ7zq08cmC— Yaakov Strasberg (@YaakovStras) April 25, 2025
Outside Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters at 770 in Crown Heights: A group of pro-Palestinian activists protesting Israeli cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir separated from hundreds of young Chabad students. pic.twitter.com/LKG7lGfF6I
— Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) April 25, 2025
Wild scene in Crown Heights outside of the Chabad Lubavitch HQ when about half dozen Pro-Palestinian supporters showed up to protest Ben Gvir visit pic.twitter.com/Umn7mCdGsh
— Stephanie Keith (@Steffikeith) April 25, 2025
What happened tonight in Crown Heights was outrageous and deeply disturbing. A group of antisemitic protesters gathered at the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue—the very heart of this heavily populated Jewish neighborhood—spewing hateful, inflammatory rhetoric… pic.twitter.com/9zFD2ZwnlJ
— Yaacov Behrman (@ChabadLubavitch) April 25, 2025
Large amounts of police with zip tie cuffs, and barricades were brought in at the pro-"Palestine"/pro-Hamas "protesters" in Crown Heights, NY. pic.twitter.com/1jFozt3gIL
— Yaakov Strasberg (@YaakovStras) April 25, 2025
How lamentable that ICE didn’t swoop in to arrest & deport everyone of these single troublemakers interfering with the appearance of the legitimate next Prime Minister of Israel.
How come protests are allowed without a permit? Isn’t there a mask ban?
Whether or not one supports or doesn’t agree with Ben Gvir, let me unequivocally state that as a proud Jew, I never felt so exhilarated, to see hundreds of frum Jews standing up to those momzarim. It is about time, as I’m sure that they received a message loud and clear. What chutzpah they have coming into a frum area, with their hateful messages. Also, the NYPD, to their credit was very restrained, and they did not engage in shoving and pushing, or other violent measures, as was the case in the past (against Jews).
Shame shame on NK
Everyone knows Hashems people will win may it be very very soon
We need JDL again.
. If I was younger, I would build an active JDL with thousands of followers who would be constantly ready to attack our foes. We need shomrim and fighters. RABBI
Habbad stood their ground and hopefully will continue to do so.
How come Dov hikind wasn’t there
The protesters seem to think its color war.
“I believe that we will win!!”” loll
A word to the wise:
If your yetzer hara is extremely comfortable with some “mitzvah” that you’re doing, and especially if your yetzer hara is encouraging you to do a “mitzvah,” that is very strong grounds to reconsider if what you’re doing is actually correct.
והמבין יבין
Interesting poll for everyone commenting (and a good opportunity to reflect):
If you were present at the machlokes between Rav Yochanan ben Zakkai and the Baryonim, which side would you have taken?
Think about it for a bit
Did he go there to daven or to speak? Its a differnece