Masked maniac flashes vile ‘Kill Hostages Now’ sign at NYC Israel Day Parade

In an abrupt disruption to Israel Day Parade, a masked maniac appeared among the family members of the October 7 hostages and flashed a vile sign which read “Kill Hostages Now" to the marchers and supporters.

The protester, who was wearing a black shirt and black mask and carrying a Palestinian flag in the form of a cape, was among a group of anti-Israel demonstrators who had a face-off with pro-Israeli New Yorkers close to the parade route.

The Israel Day Parade, which was carried out this year in New York, saw the participation of various family members of hostages who were kidnapped on October 7 by Hamas.

During the parade, an Israeli supporter suddenly came face-to-face with the masked man. The man had covered his face using a traditional Palestinian scarf called a keffiyeh.

#NOW "Kill Hostages Now!" reads one sign at Pro-palestine protest as they clash with Israel Supporters with massive police presence breaking them up near Israel Parade pic.twitter.com/QqyGyrv4r5 — Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) June 2, 2024

“Don’t step up to me,” the man was heard saying in the footage. The two groups were then separated by the New York Police Department before any violence ensued amid the tense exchange on Fifth Avenue.

Jewish New Yorkers participate in Israel Day Parade

The Jewish New Yorkers participated in huge numbers in the annual Israel Day Parade amid heavy NYPD security as people repeatedly appealed for the release of Israeli hostages.

“I wake up every morning and think we lost all people of my family,” said Sharon Sharabi, whose brothers were taken hostageby Hamas on October 7.

“We are feelingthat the people of America sympathise with us and the NYPD [are] here with us. “It’s a really good feeling, that it’s very safe here," Sharabi said.

Israel was celebrated by people even though a tense climate of antisemitism loomed over the five boroughs.

“I came out to support my dear and beloved country and to show that we’re never going to back down,” said Jacob, who is a 21-year-old student at the Staten Island Hebrew Academy.

“It’s horrific,” he stated while speaking about antisemitism in the city. “You gotta look over your shoulder and live in fear," he added.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn resident Rita Malikima said that the city's mood scares her, however, she felt she needed to show up at the parade for fellow Jews.

(With inputs from agencies)