Bsd
An Atrocity Grows in Brooklyn
Who gave permission for a confined protest to turn into a menacing march?
May 18, 2026
Sara Lehmann
Thank you Sara! You are on the mark when you write
"Who gave permission for a confined protest to turn into a menacing march?"
My comments:
I too was on Ocean and L on that evening before 7pm with my husband. We were escorted to the Shul, we attended the event, and spoke to some vendors and then left. I didn't really see the protesters yet close by but there were lots of police. I returned later with friends. This time I saw and heard the protesters. We were escorted into the event. The protesters were down the block. We left after 9pm. They seemed to have disappeared around then and apparently marched through the neighborhood....
Were they marching around the neighborhood before 7pm as well?
The next day I saw offensive, intimidating hate videos that took place on residential streets nearby the event.
A confined Free Palestine protest should never get a permit!...let alone be allowed to be a marching protest spewing hatred and threatening a community.
People should be protected under the law! However. these hate spewing protesters were and are protected to threaten a neighborhood, under the guise of freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
Under Mamdani how can we best respond?
Let's brainstorm. Jews should not be the ones intimidated.
Here are some suggestions:
- On Shavuot, religious Jewish men should come out en masse walking in the streets wearing their Tefillin.
- JDL types, Veteran IDF soldiers identifying with Kach or the IDF and Jewish Self Defense should have a noticeable presence
- Everyone is encouraged to wear open expression of Jewish Israeli pride like a flag of Israel (Magen David), a flag of Judea and Samaria (Lion), a flag of Har HaBayit (Beit HaMildash), Return to Gush Katif, Tzahal paraphernalia...
- Young and old, can be educated and armed as best as possible and with knowledge on how to best respond given the circumstances in case they feel threatened. This is especially relevant to anyone walking on the streets late on Shavuot night!
Perhaps there can be Rabbinic permission to carry cell phones if there is any reason to believe the streets might not be safe?
I hope no Rav or political Askan suggests stay home for your protection! Jews should come out en masse with Jewish Pride as usual this coming Shavuot night. We need to work with law enforcement but be prepared to do what is necessary to protect our community. Under Mamdani there is good reason not to rely on the NYC Police. Their hands might be tied and fail to deter intimidation and provocation by the Free Palestine protesters. They will probably try to keep us safe by discouraging any open display of Support for Israel. They will say it's provoking and therefore dangerous.
Our enemies need to be fearful of walking around freely chanting Jew hatred and intimidation.
Jews need to feel secure walking freely going to and from Synagogues.
When I was in Israel in November, I knew we were surrounded on all sides by evil but I felt safe because Chayalim and civilians with weapons were all over the place.
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Related:
This post is in Hebrew. Deterrence is key! We need to show strength so that our enemies don't dare to commit atrocities like that which happened on October7. We can learn from Torah how to respond from the story of Dina when she was violated by Shchem.
To get strength of spirit and connection to Eretz Yisroel and Beit HaMikdash please watch Yishai Fleisher on Yom Yerushalayim reporting from the Kotel.
