Pro-Palestinian activists gathered at the AirTrain terminal in Jamaica Station, Queens on Wednesday to protest an alleged shipment of weapons bound for Tel Aviv. The group, who wore masks and keffiyehs to conceal their identities, held signs and chanted slogans such as “JFK, you can’t hide. You’re supporting genocide. ” The protest was organized by the anti-Israel activist group, Within Our Lifetime, who claimed that the shipment, rumored to be departing from JFK, was intended for the Israeli defense technology company, Elbit Systems.

The demonstration caused disruptions for commuters and passersby, with the Port Authority having to restrict access to the AirTrain terminal for ticketed passengers only. Frustrated travelers were seen confronting the protesters, some of whom were wearing face masks, as they waited in long lines for the AirTrain. In a video posted on social media, a man can be heard accusing the protesters of chanting to kill Jews, while a woman questions why they are hiding their faces.

The protest caught the attention of Joel Petlin, the superintendent of schools for Kiryas Joel, a Jewish community in Orange County, New York. He expressed concern about how similar protests would be handled by New York City mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, who has been vocal about his opposition to Israel. Mamdani has previously defended the slogan “globalize the intifada,” which has been used by the protesters, as a desperate desire for equality and equal rights for Palestinians. However, the U. S. Holocaust Museum has criticized Mamdani for using this slogan, stating that it has been used to incite violence against Jews since 1987.

The protest also received attention from social media users, with some questioning the actions of the protesters and their use of the Holocaust Museum’s translation of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising to defend their slogan. The Holocaust Museum has condemned the use of the slogan and stated that it is an abuse of history.

The protest at the AirTrain terminal highlights the ongoing tensions between pro-Palestinian activists and supporters of Israel. While demonstrations are a form of freedom of speech, they can also cause disruptions and inconvenience for others. It is important for all leaders to condemn the use of violent language and to promote peaceful discussions and resolutions to conflicts.