Political leaders condemn protest at Nova exhibit in NYC as “repulsive and vile”

NEW YORK – Leaders are speaking out condemn a protest outside an exhibition honoring the victims of the Hamas terrorist attack at the New Music Festival on October 7 which triggered the current Israel-Hamas war.

On Monday night, pro-Palestinian protesters lit smoke canisters and flares outside the Nova Music Festival Exhibition in Lower Manhattan, which pays tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack.

Mayor Eric Adams visited victims’ families on Tuesday, where he condemned the protesters’ messages.

“You don’t call for peace and wave Hamas flags. You don’t call for peace and then go to a memorial. It’s like you’re desecrating the graves,” Adams said.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Monday night’s protest.

“The recent protest at the New Music Festival in Lower Manhattan, where some participants chanted anti-Semitic slogans, endorsed the abhorrent actions of terrorist groups like Hamas, and celebrated the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians is unjust and un-American. The egregious behavior at A A display designed to justify the killing of Jews has no place in a civilized society. We will not tolerate it,” Jeffries said. “New Yorkers of good will must continue to fight the malignant tumor of anti-Semitism with the fierce urgency of now, until we crush this cancer so that it never rises again.”

Deputy Ritchie Torres called the protesters “anti-Israel fanatics” and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine called for the rally “repulsive and vile.”

Victims’ families say they are struggling to process public support for the terrorists who killed their loved ones.

“It was like they killed me again and again and again.”

Manny Manzuri came across Monday night’s protest outside the Wall Street expo praising October 7th while going out to eat.

“I can’t find words for how I felt when someone screamed and supported the people who murdered their daughters,” he said. “It was like they killed me again and again and again.”

The exhibition shows burned and shot cars, perhaps one of the most egregious examples of the death and destruction of October 7th. Survivors said it’s important for people to see this.

As the beats of the Nova Music Festival play in the exhibition, visitors experience the last moments of life, as more than 300 were murdered on October 7th. Among the souls honored are Manzuri’s daughters – Roya, 22, and Norelle, 25 – as well as Norelle’s fiancé, Amit Cohen.

“They couldn’t go anywhere and because it was a massive attack, a massive missile attack, they went into the bomb shelter,” said Sigal Manzuri, the mother of the murdered sisters.

Hamas terrorists murdered most of the people inside.

“They throw grenades, set fire to shelters, shooting for three, four hours,” said Manny Manzuri.

Survivor invites protesters to the exhibition

“When the rockets started, one guy said, ‘Why are they angry, let’s ask them to dance?'” said survivor Tomer Meir.

That’s why Meir says those who were demonstrating outside the exhibit on Monday night should visit. He said he was saved by Israeli Arabs.

“From the happiness and pure moments of my life I had to run away and save my life and my friend’s life because terrorists came to kill all of us and raped our girls and, you know, I saw a lot that day,” Meir said. . he said.

Or Gat is the brother of hostage Carmel Gat, who completed 40 years in captivity.

“We heard she was doing yoga. She is an occupational therapist and a caring person,” said Or Gat. “I hope she is waiting for us, she is waiting for us to make a deal because it is not possible to do the rescue every day.”

“We will talk about them all the time, we will spread their light, we will spread their love, and hopefully all of this will bring better days,” said Sigal Manzuri.

The exhibition ends with a healing space and the message: We will dance again.

It was extended for another week, until June 22.