Brad Lander, the progressive Jewish Democratic nominee for Congress in New York’s 10th Congressional District, was verbally assaulted and chased away by anti-Israel protesters outside Madison Square Garden in Manhattan—despite arriving to join their demonstration against the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat event.
Lander, who has repeatedly accused Israel of “genocide” in Gaza and demanded an immediate end to U.S. military partnership, was rejected the moment demonstrators identified him as a Zionist.
“There’s no such thing as a good Zionist,” demonstrators screamed at him, aggressively ordering him to leave the area. “You’re a Zionist. We don’t need your help. We’re doing just fine without Zionists here.”Video: Social media
Another demonstrator shouted, “Fuck off, dirty Zionist!” while others yelled, “Get out of here, Zionist!” Some hurled crude obscenities, branding him “Zionist scum” and telling him to “go support genocide somewhere else.” Video footage from the scene shows Lander trying to explain that he arrived to stand in solidarity with the protest, but demonstrators drowned him out and forced him to leave.
Clash Outside ‘Universal Oneness’ Event
The confrontation took place outside the “Universal Oneness Celebration,” a rally attended by approximately 5,000 people featuring a keynote address by Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Lander introduced himself to cameras and stated he came to “say no to the RSS,” which he characterized as a fascist gathering.
He said he was invited to demonstrate solidarity, then responded to the confrontation by asserting, “They have no right to tell me where to stand.” Several bystanders stepped in to separate Lander from the hostile demonstrators and de-escalate the confrontation.
Lander, who previously served as New York City Comptroller, describes himself as a “liberal Zionist,” though his stances toward Israel have been sharply critical.
Over the past year, he referred to the war in Gaza as “genocide” and called for an end to American military backing. He pledged to vote against additional defense assistance to Israel.
In June, Lander defeated incumbent pro-Israel Congressman Dan Goldman in the NY-10 Democratic primary.
For additional context on the political backdrop and rhetoric leading up to the rally outside Madison Square Garden, watch
Brad Lander’s remarks on the Madison Square Garden RSS event. This video highlights Lander’s public statements denouncing the gathering before the protest.