A vigil at Manhattan’s Union Square to remember the 1,200 Jews killed during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel three years ago was thrown into chaos Wednesday when more than 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators swarmed the plaza and squared off with mourners, officials said.
Waving Palestinian flags and screaming “Normalize the intifada!” and “There is only one solution… Revolution!” protesters began taking over the seats that were set aside for attendees at the 7 p.m. vigil.
There were only about 50 attendees at the vigil when the protesters arrived. Although the vigil’s program was briefly sidelined, pro-Israeli mourners lit candles, held signs reading “Not one more life” as they faced off against Palestinian protesters and tried their best to read texts and emails from survivors and relatives of victims of the Hamas attack.
Comptroller Brad Lander was already in attendance at the vigil and was cursed out by the protesters as he stood with pro-Israeli mourners.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander attends a prayer vigil — in which pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israel protesters faced-off — in Manhattan’s Union Square on Oct. 7, 2026, on the third anniversary of Hamas’ October 7th attack in Israel. (Barry Williams / New York Daily News)
Vigil organizers were at times drowned out by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
Mayor Mandani, who was scheduled to attend but not speak, showed up with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams about an hour after the program started — only to be jeered by the pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
“Zoran, you can’t hide! We charge you with genocide!” Palestinian demonstrators screamed over and over.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (center) and Comptroller Brad Lander (far left) attend a prayer vigil — in which pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israel protesters faced-off — in Manhattan’s Union Square on Oct. 7, 2026, on the third anniversary of Hamas’ October 7th attack in Israel. (Barry Williams / New York Daily News)
Mamdani faces equal criticism from Jewish and Palestinian New Yorkers, who each feel the Mayor isn’t supporting their needs.
He has faced intense criticism from prominent Jewish groups, who have said his rhetoric about Israel fuels growing antisemitism. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has leveled sharp attacks against Mamdani, particularly over the mayor’s assertion that the government’s actions in Gaza constitute a genocide.
Some critics on the left have also claimed the mayor has betrayed the pro-Palestine cause by allowing a “buffer zone” bill targeting areas around houses of worship to become law and by forming a “Strategy to Combat Antisemitism” report.
Pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israel protesters face off in Manhattan’s Union Square on Oct. 7, 2026, during a vigil to mark the third anniversary of Hamas’ October 7th attack in Israel. (Barry Williams / New York Daily News)
New waves of criticism came crashing down on Mamdani Wednesday when he called the anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attacks in Israel a “profoundly painful” day for many New Yorkers while also criticizing Israel for carrying out what he called a “genocide” in Gaza.
NYPD officers managed to corral the Palestinian protesters to the southern end of the plaza. No violence occurred and no arrests were immediately made.
Pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israel protesters face off in Manhattan’s Union Square on Oct. 7, 2026, during a vigil to mark the third anniversary of Hamas’ October 7th attack in Israel. (Barry Williams / New York Daily News)
The pro-Palestinian protesters marched up from City Hall, where they spent the afternoon rallying in support of Palestine — and against the mayor.
“Mayor Mamdani, you can’t hide we charge you with genocide,” the group chanted, some hoisting anti-Mamdani signs.
People attend a prayer vigil — in which pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israel protesters faced-off — in Manhattan’s Union Square on Oct. 7, 2026, on the third anniversary of Hamas’ October 7th attack in Israel. (Barry Williams / New York Daily News)
Organizers said memorials of those who died and testimonials of those who survived were going to be read aloud at the vigil.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
People attend a prayer vigil — in which pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israel protesters faced-off — in Manhattan’s Union Square on Oct. 7, 2026, on the third anniversary of Hamas’ October 7th attack in Israel. (Barry Williams / New York Daily News)