Jewish Candidate Heckled by Anti-Israel Protesters at Rally

Brad Lander, a progressive Jewish candidate for the Democratic Party in New York's 10th congressional district, was verbally attacked by anti-Israel demonstrators outside Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. Lander had arrived to join their protest against an event hosted by the Hindu nationalist RSS movement.

Protesters shouted slogans such as "There is no such thing as a good Zionist" and demanded Lander leave, stating, "You are a Zionist. We don't need your help. We are doing fine without Zionists here." Other demonstrators hurled insults, calling him a "Zionist bag" and telling him to "go support genocide elsewhere."

The confrontation occurred outside the "Universal Unity Festival," attended by approximately 5,000 people, where RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat was speaking. Lander, who identified himself to cameras, stated he came to oppose the RSS, which he described as a fascist and hateful assembly. He added that he was invited to express solidarity and asserted that the attackers had "no right to tell me where to stand," despite some attendees attempting to mediate.

Lander, a former New York City Comptroller, describes himself as a liberal Zionist. However, over the past year, he has called the war in Gaza a genocide, urged an end to U.S. partnership in it, and declared he would not vote for further aid to Israel. In June, he defeated pro-Israel incumbent Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary with 66% of the vote.