Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian protesters clash in NYC; 1 burned by fireworks thrown from car

Protest Erupts Outside Israeli Embassy in DC

Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian protesters clashed in midtown Manhattan on Thursday even after Israel and Hamas militants agreed to a cease-fire.

One video shows a device exploding after being thrown at a crowd of people on a sidewalk. The NYPD told Fox News that two commercial fireworks were thrown from a car and one person received minor burns. 

The NYPD’s Arson Investigation Squad is probing the incident. 

Other videos posted by independent journalist Leeroy Johnson showed multiple fights breaking out in the middle of Times Square as police try to dispel the scuffles. 

An NYPD spokesperson said multiple arrests were made during the protests. 

Pro-Palestinian protesters face off with a group of Israel supporters and police in a violent clash in Times Square on May 20, 2021 in New York City. 
(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Despite an announcement of a cease-fire between Israel and Gaza militants, dozens of supporters of both sides of the conflict fought in the streets of Times Square.
(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Pro-Palestinian protesters have marched in America’s biggest cities for the last week and a half. Last Tuesday, thousands of protesters shut down traffic as they marched down 42nd Street in Manhattan.

Violence escalated around Israel at the beginning of last week, with Hamas firing a reported 4,000 rockets and the Israeli air force launching airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip. 

Thursday’s Times Square clashes came just hours after a peace deal was announced between Israel and Hamas that Hamas said would go into effect at 2 a.m. Friday. 

President Biden said he commended Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu for “the decision to bring the current hostilities to a close in less than 11 days.”

“The United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks from Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorist groups,” Biden said. “I believe the Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live safely and securely and to enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity and democracy.”

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