On Monday, October 14, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, led by the activist group Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), staged a sit-in protest outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The protest, which took place just before the market’s official opening, was aimed at calling for an arms embargo on Israel. The demonstrators, chanting and clapping their hands, were holding banners with messages such as “Opposing war is a Jewish tradition” and “Gaza bombed, Wall Street booms.”
The protest took place at 85 Broad Street, where the New York Stock Exchange is located. Protesters gathered as part of what was described as an “unscheduled protest.” Police quickly arrived on the scene, and arrests were made, though authorities did not immediately provide an exact number. According to reports from Jewish Voices for Peace, many protesters were carried away by police officers, some dragged by their arms and legs.
The protesters, many of whom were Jewish, expressed outrage over what they see as the U.S. government’s complicity in Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The group argued that the U.S. should stop funding the Israeli military and instead focus on domestic issues, such as supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They pointed out that the profits of arms manufacturers had increased dramatically this year, accusing the U.S. war economy of benefiting from what they described as “genocide” in Gaza.
The protest comes at a tense moment in the Israel-Gaza conflict, which last week marked the first anniversary of the deadly October 7th attacks by Hamas militants on Israeli towns. In response to the attacks, Israel launched a renewed military operation in northern Gaza over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of over 200 people, including many civilians. The situation has intensified in recent days, with hospitals and refugee camps in northern Gaza being directly impacted by the ongoing military actions.
One particularly dire incident involved a fire breaking out in an encampment housing displaced civilians in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza. The fire came after Israeli airstrikes had already devastated much of the surrounding area. The international community has raised alarms over the worsening humanitarian situation, with many calling for a ceasefire or a reduction in military operations in the densely populated region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly weighing a plan to seal off northern Gaza in a strategic attempt to “starve out” Hamas militants, though this move could also severely affect hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who are unable or unwilling to leave their homes. The proposal is a stark reminder of the ongoing suffering in the region, which has seen the displacement of over 2 million people since the conflict escalated.
Jewish Voice for Peace, in its statements, strongly criticized the U.S. government’s role in the conflict, claiming that U.S. military aid to Israel was facilitating the destruction in Gaza. The protestors made clear that they believe the financial and military support for Israel’s actions is not only unjust but also contrary to Jewish values, which traditionally emphasize peace and justice.
The protest and the actions of the demonstrators reflect the growing dissatisfaction within certain parts of the Jewish community, particularly among younger Jewish Americans, with the U.S. government’s continued military aid to Israel. The conflict has sharply divided opinion both in the U.S. and globally, with some advocating for stronger intervention to protect civilians, while others support Israel’s right to defend itself against militant groups like Hamas.
The NYSE protest represents a new chapter in the broader movement against the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza, with more direct calls for policy changes coming from Jewish groups and other advocacy organizations. The sit-in also underscores the growing influence of grassroots activism in shaping public discourse on the Israel-Palestine conflict, especially as both sides continue to suffer heavy casualties.
As the protests continue and tensions rise in the Middle East, both the U.S. government and the international community are under increasing pressure to address the conflict. Calls for a halt to military operations and the opening of humanitarian corridors for civilians in Gaza have become louder, while protests like those outside the New York Stock Exchange reflect the widespread frustration with the ongoing violence.
