Pro-Hamas Chants STUN Queens Synagogue

Crowd at a protest holding Palestinian flags

Pro-Hamas protesters openly chanted support for the terrorist group outside a Queens synagogue, exposing New York City’s Jewish families to brazen intimidation under progressive Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s watch.

Story Snapshot

Protesters from Palestinian Assembly for Liberation (PAL-Awda) chanted “We support Hamas here,” “Globalize the Intifada,” and “Long live October 7th” outside Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills yeshiva on January 8, 2026.
The rally targeted an Israeli real estate event in a residential Jewish neighborhood, marking a dangerous escalation in anti-Israel protests.
Officials including Gov. Kathy Hochul, AG Letitia James, and Council Speaker Julie Menin condemned the rhetoric as disgusting hate speech.
Mayor Mamdani’s delayed response, despite calling Hamas a terrorist organization, draws criticism for emboldening radicals after he rescinded antisemitism protections.

Protest Erupts Outside Jewish Yeshiva

On January 8, 2026, keffiyeh-clad activists from PAL-Awda NY/NJ assembled behind NYPD barricades across from the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills yeshiva at 150th Street and 70th Road in Queens. They waved Palestinian flags while protesting an Israeli real estate event promoting Jerusalem investments. Videos captured the crowd chanting “Say it loud, say it clear, we support Hamas here,” alongside “Globalize the Intifada” and praise for the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that killed over 1,200 Israelis. This occurred in Kew Gardens Hills, a tight-knit Orthodox Jewish residential area where families live steps from the yeshiva.

The explicit endorsement of Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, shocked onlookers and quickly spread via social media. Organizers framed the event as opposition to the “sale of stolen Palestinian land,” but the chants glorified violence, echoing Hamas’s military wing. Jewish residents reported feeling directly threatened by the proximity and volume of the pro-terror slogans in their neighborhood.

Pattern of Synagogue Targeting Intensifies

The Queens protest fits a disturbing trend tracked by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which has documented over 30 anti-Israel demonstrations targeting U.S. synagogues since October 7, 2023. Prior incidents include PAL-Awda-led rallies outside Brooklyn’s Young Israel of Avenue K in 2024, where protesters waved Hezbollah flags and chanted “We don’t want no Zionists here.” In September 2025, similar groups hit Young Israel of New Rochelle with “Smash the settler Zionist state.”

November 2025 saw harassment at Manhattan’s Park East Synagogue, featuring “Globalize the Intifada” and “Death to the IDF” alongside slurs against Jews. These events, often tied to real estate promotions, have escalated from anti-Zionist slogans to overt terror support, with chants like “Al-Qassam you make us proud” becoming common. The Queens rally stands out for its mass, clearly recorded “We support Hamas” declaration right outside a yeshiva.

Officials Condemn, But Leadership Questions Linger

Outrage poured in from state and city leaders. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared the rhetoric “disgusting” and “dangerous.” Attorney General Letitia James stated, “We do not support terrorists. Period.” Council Speaker Julie Menin called it “totally unacceptable” hate with no place in New York. ADL regional director Scott Richman urged Mayor Mamdani to clearly denounce the “horrific act” of supporting terrorists.

Combat Antisemitism Movement CEO Sacha Roytman warned that antisemites feel “emboldened” under Mamdani, predicting consequences if ignored. Mamdani, elected in early 2026, responded on X affirming worshipper safety while condemning “chants in support of a terrorist organization.” Critics like activist Zach Sage Fox highlighted the response as “clipped,” tying it to Mamdani’s rescission of Eric Adams-era policies adopting the IHRA antisemitism definition and banning BDS by city workers. Pro-Israel voices argue this signals weakness, potentially normalizing terror rhetoric amid rising synagogue threats.

Implications for Jewish Safety and City Governance

The incident disrupts daily life for Kew Gardens Hills families, chilling Israeli real estate events and broader economic ties. Socially, it deepens divides in a city reeling from post-October 7 tensions. Politically, it tests Mamdani’s progressive governance, with Jewish organizations pressing for enforcement over free speech excuses. ADL warns of violence risks if pro-Hamas normalization continues, citing international precedents. No arrests occurred, but the viral videos ensure sustained scrutiny on whether New York prioritizes law-abiding citizens over radical agitators.