Democratic Congressional Candidate Brad Lander Confronted by Anti-Israel Protesters in NYC

Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander was verbally attacked and expelled from a protest outside Madison Square Garden in New York City on Tuesday, despite arriving to join the demonstration against a nationalist Indian group. Protesters identified Lander, who is Jewish and describes himself as a "liberal Zionist," as a supporter of Israel and subjected him to antisemitic slurs, calling him a "dirty Zionist" and a "Zionist bag."

Lander, a candidate for New York's 10th congressional district, had intended to protest an event featuring Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the Hindu nationalist RSS organization. Lander has previously described the war in Gaza as "genocide" and called for an end to U.S. partnership in it. He was also instrumental in unseating a pro-Israel incumbent in the Democratic primaries.

Video footage shows Lander attempting to explain his presence and solidarity with the protest, but the demonstrators refused to listen, shouting "There is no such thing as a good Zionist" and "Get out of here, Zionist!" He was also told to "go support genocide somewhere else."

Lander, who previously served as New York City Comptroller, was forced to leave the area due to safety concerns. Some attendees attempted to intervene and de-escalate the situation, but Lander ultimately departed. He stated that the protesters had "no right to tell me where to stand."