News
By Jon Levine
Published
Jan. 27, 2024, 11:26 a.m. ET
Organizers of pro-Hamas protests are preparing to gather at John F. Kennedy Airport on Saturday, aiming to replicate the disruptions they caused on New Year’s Day.
A promotional advertisement for the event, which began circulating online this week, urged supporters to “Flood JFK for Gaza.” The use of “flood” is a direct reference to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, the name Hamas gave to the terrorist attack in Israel on Oct 7, resulting in at least 1,200 casualties.
The banner also advised participants to bring flags, keffiyeh, signs, banners, and decorate their cars, calling on them to assemble outside Terminal 4 arrivals to cause disruption.
The New York Police Department, which has previously adopted a lenient approach to the unrest, allowing unchecked chaos with minimal consequences, this time expressed a determination to crack down on agitators.
A Hamas supporter in New York City Getty Images
Hamas supporters are determined to disrupt JFK airport operations again. X/NYPDDaughtry
The protesters intended to block the roadways around JFK Airport. Getty Images
Following months of inaction, the NYPD has pledged to take decisive action. NYPD
“Attempting to shut down an airport? You will be the ones facing consequences! We support peaceful protests but will not tolerate lawlessness,” cautioned NYPD Assistant Commissioner Kaz Daughtry in a posting on Friday. “The NYPD is prepared to ensure operational airports and to prevent inconvenience to hardworking New Yorkers going on vacation.”
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell also reiterated these sentiments. “Do not obstruct our highways and inconvenience our hardworking tax-paying New Yorkers. If you do, we will attempt to fill our jail cells with you and seize your car!”
Since the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on Oct 7, New York City has witnessed a surge in demonstrations in support of the terrorists, with near-daily protests taking place on college campuses such as NYU and Columbia, as well as disruptions at the Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting.
Pro-Hamas protesters have pledged to make JFK Terminal 4 the focal point of their actions. Getty Images
Pro-Hamas supporters have disrupted a range of city events since Oct 7. SARAH YENESEL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Despite frequent, often antisemitic, rallies, city officials have yet to make any meaningful effort to address the disruptions.
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