Israel and Hamas agreed at the last minute Thursday to extend their temporary cease-fire by another day to allow more hostages and prisoners to be released. The two sides have now paused the fighting for seven days.
Not satisfied with the cease-fire’s renewal, far-Left protestors swarmed upon the News Corp. building during the Rockefeller Center’s Christmas celebration intent on disrupting the Christian celebration — and their chaotic clash with cops was caught on video.
Previously, police had warned of the potential for extremist protesters to interrupt the event, as recent gatherings in New York have drawn violent pro-Palestinian activists seeking to bring attention to the Israel-Hamas war.
Protestors have already targeted the News Corp. building on at least two occasions. Earlier this month, demonstrators occupied the lobby of the Fox News office, and they carried signs reading, “Fox News lies cover up genocide.”
Last week, a group of protesters carrying a banner that read “Free Palestine” also interrupted the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, blocking the front of parade floats on the street. They were eventually taken into custody and the parade continued.
The protests reappeared last night.
One protestor carried a sign with a swastika captioned “ISRAELI MILITARY” that compared the Jewish state’s military to the Nazis.
The swastika picture made the front page of the New York Post, another outlet headquartered in the building.
Videos posted to social media showed several hundred chanting pro-Palestinian protesters, many carrying Palestinian flags, crowded in front of the News Corp. building, not far from the tree site.
Footage from the scene showed protesters attacking police outside the media company’s building as they tried to push forward to stop the tree-lighting ceremony.
One police officer, speaking to local media, called the protest “complete chaos.”
“They should have shut it down. They lost control of the street. I was shoved, punched, kicked. It’s bulls**t,” another added.
Thanks to the NYPD’s preparation, the protestors failed to disrupt the event at Rockefeller Center. After failing to overcome the police, the protestors turned around and marched away down Sixth Avenue. They chanted, “Shut it down.”
Pop star Kelly Clarkson hosted the event and she presided over performances by country artist Carly Pearce and 70s singer Barry Manilow. The tree will remain lit from 5 a.m. to midnight every day until Jan. 13. On Christmas day, it’ll be lit 24 hours.
The videos also appear to show some protesters being taken into custody, but it remains unclear whether they’ve been charged in the Democratic-controlled city.
Take a look —
It didn't take long for the people who support violence to resort to violence. pic.twitter.com/xs841eXhHF
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) November 30, 2023
🚨: NYPD makes arrests after Palestinian protesters fight some of the officers. More video to come. pic.twitter.com/RJDSFtg4po
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) November 30, 2023
Today's cover: Pro-Palestinian protesters, one carrying swastika, swarm Midtown in bid to derail Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting https://t.co/sDpLM8qmRh pic.twitter.com/W4bxsMfTiC
— New York Post (@nypost) November 30, 2023
Starting in the 1930s, the Christmas tree tradition has drawn thousands of visitors to the city each year during the holiday season.
This time, many tourists expressed disapproval of the radical leftists violence.
Jamie Fry, 42, came to the event from the United Kingdom. Speaking to the NY Post, Fry called the protest “very annoying.”
“I had planned my holiday around this event, being a big fan of Christmas. Now I’m walled in by a bunch of terrorist-loving a**holes calling for intifada,” Fry continued. “Their strategy for sympathy is disruption, but all they’ll get out of me is a big ‘F**k you.’”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.