Progressive Jewish New Yorkers Criticize Schumer for Stance on Israel Aid

About 100 pro-Palestinian Jewish protesters were arrested Tuesday night after blocking traffic near the Brooklyn home of Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

During this time, Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S., was in Washington, D.C., getting ready for the final vote on a foreign aid package of $26 billion to Israel.

The foreign aid package was approved by the U.S. Congress late Tuesday.

The protesters were gathered at Grand Army Plaza to demand an end to U.S. military support for Israel, and were near Schumer’s home on the second night of Passover, The New York Times reported.

The protesters surrounded a circular banner representing a Seder plate with the words “Jews say stop arming Israel,” according to the Times.

“This will not be a typical Seder. These are extraordinary times,” stated Morgan Bassichis of Jewish Voice for Peace, speaking to the attendees.

The protesters were arrested peacefully and taken by city buses to booking, as reported by The New York Post.

“Thousands of US Jews with (Jewish Voice for Peace), (IfNotNow), and (Jews for Racial and Economic Justice) are holding an emergency Passover seder, shutting down the streets of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s home to demand he stop sending weapons to the Israeli government as it carries out a genocide,” Jewish Voice for Peace NYC posted on X.

Stefanie Fox, executive director of Jewish Voice for Peace, said the protest coincided with Passover to send a message to Schumer, according to the Times.

“Our tradition compels us to do everything we can to stop these historic atrocities carried out in our name and with our tax dollars,” Fox told the Times.

According to The Post, protesters projected pro-Palestinian messages on the Brooklyn Public Library, including “Stop Funding Genocide” and “No One Is Free Until Everyone Is Free.”

Anti-Israel protests have erupted nationwide following Israel’s response to Hamas’ attack, massacre, and hostage-taking on Oct. 7. Demonstrations have prompted Columbia University to transition to hybrid classes until the end of the semester, as reported by Newsmax.

The New York Police Department announced the arrest of 133 individuals on Monday following protests at New York University.