A mother from Brooklyn raised concerns on Monday about what she described as an anti-Israel and antisemitic puppet show she attended in Lower Manhattan this month, saying the performance was filled with political messaging that was inappropriate for the audience.
The mother, who is Jewish and spoke anonymously with JNS, said she was surprised by what she saw during the International Puppet Fringe Festival, which was held at the Clemente Center, Aug. 12 through 16.
She at first described relatable NYC scenes and characters on stage, such as pizza rat and parking challenges that the audience seemed to enjoy.
But after about 15 minutes, the mood changed when the mother said, “a woman came in with a piece of paper and began reading a litany of accusations against Israel, and people began chanting ‘shame, shame.’”
The mother, who was born in the former Soviet Union, told the media outlet, described eight performers grouped as a flotilla of ships bound for Gaza.
“It felt like a lynch mob,” she said.
Boxcutter Collective produced the scene. To seek confirmation of the allegations, amNewYork contacted Teatro SEA, the organizers of the festival, to ask for a response and provide additional context about the production.
International Puppet Fringe Festival NYCPhoto by George Riveron
“We take seriously the concerns and distress expressed by an audience member who experienced aspects of this performance as hostile or exclusionary,” Dr. Manuel Moran, producer for the festival, told amNewYork. “No audience member should feel targeted or unwelcome because of their Jewish identity, their connection to Israel, or any other aspect of who they are.”
Moran said the festival did not have advance knowledge of all of the content that was ultimately presented in the performance. Boxcutter Collective premiered elements of the work as part of the festival.
“Theater and puppetry have always been political art forms, and we believe there is value in creating space for artists to engage with difficult issues and for audiences from different backgrounds to encounter a range of perspectives,” he said. “At the same time, artistic expression and open dialogue must coexist with a commitment to ensuring that audiences feel welcome and respected.”
amNewYork contacted Boxcutter Collective but did not receive a response.
Meanwhile, both state and city agencies gave funding to support the festival.
“Proud to support Puppet Fringe NYC, the world’s only fringe festival dedicated exclusively to puppetry, a celebration of the extraordinary women who have shaped, expanded and reimagined the art of puppetry around the world,” the mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment wrote in a social media statement.
amNewYork contacted both the mayor’s and governor’s offices to ask for comments on this story and is awaiting responses.
The allegations surrounding the festival come amid heightened sensitivity amid increases in antisemitism, debates over Israel and Palestinian rights. Those tensions have also spilled into disputes over public funding for organizations on both sides of the issue.
In May, the Park Slope Food Co-Op, one of the nation’s largest member-owned food cooperatives, voted to boycott Israeli products following a closely watched membership meeting that drew thousands of participants.
Mamdani, meanwhile, has taken a strongly pro-Palestinian and sharply critical stance toward the Israeli government. His critics have argued that some of his rhetoric and positions on Israel have contributed to an environment in which antisemitism has increased in the city — an accusation he has rejected.
But the mayor has also backed the BDS movement, which advocates for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel. As mayor, he revoked NYC restrictions on government cooperation with BDS-related entities.
According to the NYPD, antisemitic hate crimes increased over 53% last month compared to July 2025, with 23 incidents compared to 15 during the same month last year.