NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A month into the Israel-Hamas war, hundreds of New Yorkers gathered at the Statue of Liberty on Monday to demand a ceasefire by the Israeli defense forces as the death toll of Palestinians reached thousands. A few hours later, a "United For Israel" rally and vigil was held along Central Park West, where thousands demanded the release of the 240 hostages taken during Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack.
Activists from Jewish Voice for Peace return to the ferry after occupying the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty on November 6, 2023 in New York City. The group has been occupying high profile New York City locations calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
Waving flags and banners, wearing black shirts that read "Jews say ceasefire now," protestors gathered for a sit-in organized by Jewish Voice for Peace at around 1 p.m. on Liberty Island.
The rally happened on the same day that reports surfaced that over 10,000 Palestinians had died according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry and more than 1,400 Israelis killed since the conflict began. National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications at the White House, John Kirby was asked about the death toll and he said it's "in the thousands."
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that over 1.4 million have been displaced.
New Yorkers displayed signs and carried banners that read "The world is watching", "Palestinians should be free", and "Never again for anyone."
The demonstrations unfolded peacefully, with protestors dispersing about 30 minutes later without any arrests.
Simultaneously, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, hundreds rallied for the 'United for Israel' vigil sponsored by the UJA Federation of New York.
Israeli flags were flown and pictures of the kidnapped were showcased on large screens as New Yorkers gathered in Central Park West.
Pictures of the kidnapped victims by Hamas after it's deadly terror attack on Oct. 7, 2023, were displayed at a rally on the Upper West Side in New York City on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. Debra Messing is joined on stage with relatives of kidnapped Israelis.David Caplan
"Bring every hostage home, and we can't stop talking until every hostage is safely back," Eric Goldstein of the UJA Federation of New York, said.
Congressman Dan Goldman, who represents lower Manhattan and parts of west Brooklyn also spoke to the crowd, stating, "You didn't have to be there that day as you all feel what we are all feeling right now, which is that Israel is facing an existential threat for its survival. Israel's survival is Jewish survival."
Hundred gather at Central Park West to call for an immediate release of hostages on Monday, Nov. 6.Vladimir Kolesnikov
According to a press release by the White House, President Joe Biden has engaged in talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about possible "tactical pauses." However, in an interview with ABC's David Muir, Netanyahu dismissed the idea of a ceasefire.
"Ground operations by the Israel Defense Forces and continued bombardment are hitting civilians, hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches, and U.N. facilities – including shelters," U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement on Monday. "No one is safe. Gaza is becoming a graveyard for children."
Hundred gather at Central Park West to call for an immediate release of hostages on Monday, Nov. 6. Vladimir Kolesnikov
Guterres also added that "At the same time, Hamas and other militants use civilians as human shields and continue to launch rockets indiscriminately towards Israel. He called for an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
