Jewish Man Beaten In Times Square Israel-Palestine Protests: Cops

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — More than two dozen people were arrested Thursday after scuffles broke out between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrators in Times Square, while an assault on a Jewish man is being investigated as a hate crime, police said.

Thursday afternoon's protests, which unfolded amid news of a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, appeared to begin as separate demonstrations between the two sides, devolving into skirmishes after people breached an NYPD barrier separating the groups, according to the reporter Elad Eliahu.

Twenty-six people were taken into custody, while a 55-year-old woman suffered minor burns to her back after fireworks were thrown from a truck in the nearby Diamond District around 6 p.m., a police spokesperson said.

Five police officers also suffered minor injuries.

Police also confirmed they had begun a hate crime investigation into a "gang assault" of a Jewish man in Times Square as a possible hate crime — an incident that appeared to be captured on video.

"This is unacceptable," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday during an appearance on WNYC. "We have arrests already and more coming."

The Hate Crime Task Force is investigating a gang assault of a Jewish man in Times Square that happened this evening. If you have any information on any of the participants, DM us or call @NYPDTips 1-800-577-TIPS. We will post more information as it becomes available. pic.twitter.com/dV7r4v2pV5
— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) May 21, 2021

No arrests had been made for the fireworks incident, police said Friday morning.

Protesters on both sides had largely left the area by 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the New York Post reported.