Manhattan synagogue protest erupts over Israeli real estate event tied to West Bank settlement sales
Demonstrators clashed with police outside Park East Synagogue in Manhattan during an Israeli real estate expo critics say promoted West Bank settlement sales.
Protesters converge on Park East Synagogue
More than 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Park East Synagogue on the Upper East Side on the evening of May 5, 2026, to protest an event described as the “Great Israeli Real Estate Event.” The demonstration drew chants decrying land sales in the occupied West Bank and renewed tensions at a site that saw similar unrest last year. (forward.com)
Event described as promoting West Bank property sales
Organizers of the expo advertised properties for sale in Israel and in settlements in the occupied West Bank, a fact cited by protesters and local officials as the reason for the demonstration. Critics say marketing settlement property in New York amplifies disputes over land widely regarded by international bodies as illegal under international law. (patch.com)
Clashes with NYPD and barricade strategy
The NYPD established barricades and a heavy security perimeter around the synagogue, keeping demonstrators nearly a block away and separating them from counter-protesters who gathered across the street. Confrontations between officers and protesters occurred when crowds pushed against police lines, producing scuffles but, according to multiple reports, no immediate reports of serious injuries or mass arrests. (forward.com)
Organizers and slogans on both sides
The protest was organized by the group PAL-AWDA (Pal-Awda New York/New Jersey), which has previously staged demonstrations against similar real estate events. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans such as “Stop the sale of stolen land,” while a smaller group of pro-Israel counterprotesters answered with opposing chants, underscoring the polarized atmosphere. (patch.com)
Mayor Mamdani and new city buffer law
Newly elected New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office publicly condemned the real estate expo, calling the sale of settlement land “a violation of international law,” while stressing the city’s duty to protect safe access to places of worship and the right to protest. The demonstration also served as an early test of the City Council’s recently passed buffer-zone law intended to give the NYPD discretion in setting protest perimeters around houses of worship. (forward.com)
Local leaders and community response
Local elected officials representing the Upper East Side expressed concern about the emotional impact on worshippers and residents, saying the event “conjures painful memories” for the Jewish community. Some community leaders also argued the new buffer-zone approach either overreaches by distancing protesters too far or does not go far enough to prevent harassment, highlighting ongoing local debate over how to balance free speech and safety. (forward.com)
Broader context of settlement controversy
The protest in Manhattan reflects a wider pattern of contention over events that promote property sales in Israeli settlements, which many international organizations and governments classify as illegal under international law. Similar real estate expos have drawn protests in other U.S. cities and previously prompted legal and political responses, including federal scrutiny in some cases. (hindustantimes.com)
The Park East demonstration wound down after several hours, with police maintaining street closures and monitoring further gatherings; organizers on both sides pledged to continue public actions and legal challenges.
