There’s a line that should never be crossed in this country — and this weekend, it was crossed in broad daylight. A mob of nearly 200 anti-Israel protesters targeted Park East Synagogue in Manhattan, one of the oldest and most respected Jewish houses of worship in the country. These weren’t peaceful protesters holding signs and asking for unity. No, they showed up with hate in their hearts and violence in their voices.
They screamed things like “Globalize the intifada” and “Take another settler out.” That’s not protest — that’s a threat. That’s the kind of language you hear from terrorist groups, not American citizens. And yet, here it is, happening in the middle of New York City.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about being “anti-Israel.” This is about being anti-Jewish, anti-American, and anti-freedom. We fought wars to stop this kind of hatred. Many of us who served have seen the cost of letting radical ideologies grow unchecked. We didn’t put on the uniform just so this country could be overrun with mobs chanting for violence against our allies and against our own people.
Park East Synagogue isn’t just a building. It’s a symbol of faith, history, and survival. It has stood through generations of hardship and hate — and now it’s being threatened by radicals who think they can shout down freedom and scare people into silence. That won’t work, not in the United States of America.
Here’s what’s really frustrating: where was the outrage from the so-called “tolerant” left? You better believe that if this had been a mosque or a liberal church under attack, the media would be running non-stop coverage. But a Jewish synagogue? Crickets. That double standard is disgusting, and it’s dangerous.
Now, city officials did step up and condemn the chants — and that’s important. But words aren’t enough. We need action. These kinds of mobs need to be stopped before they become violent. Law enforcement must be empowered to shut this garbage down before anyone gets hurt. And the people organizing these hate-filled events need to be held accountable.
What’s even more concerning is the way these radicals are trying to import Middle East conflicts into our neighborhoods. “Globalize the intifada” isn’t just a slogan — it’s a call for global violence. The intifadas in Israel were marked by suicide bombings, shootings, and stabbings of innocent civilians. That’s what these protesters are praising. That’s what they want to bring here.
We cannot allow that mindset to take root in the United States. And we sure as hell can’t allow it to take over our cities. If you hate Israel, that’s your business. But once you start threatening American Jews and chanting for violence, you’ve crossed the line — and it’s time to face the consequences.
This country was built on freedom — freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom to live without fear. That includes Jewish Americans. It includes anyone who wants to worship in peace. The Second Amendment exists for a reason — to protect the rights of individuals and families when the government can’t or won’t. And if law enforcement won’t protect our communities from these mobs, Americans will have to protect themselves.
We need strong leadership now more than ever. We need to recognize that this isn’t just about one protest — it’s part of a growing movement that seeks to erase history, silence faith, and destroy everything this country stands for. But we won’t let it happen. Not on our watch.
To the brave men and women who serve in law enforcement, to the citizens who stand up for what’s right, and to our Jewish brothers and sisters — we’ve got your back. Stay strong. Stay prepared. And never forget what we’re fighting for. This is America, and we don’t back down from bullies. Not now. Not ever.
