Israel war: Pro-Palestinian protesters shut down Manhattan Bridge

About 500 people were part of the protest on Sunday afternoon, and three people were taken into custody for obstructing pedestrian traffic, according to a New York City public information officer. The protest appears to have been organized by the group Jewish Voice for Peace.

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Social media posts appeared to show some of the protesters wearing shirts that read, “Cease fire now,” and a large group gathered around a sign that read, “The whole world is watching.” The protesters gathered around the sign at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge.

Jewish Voice for Peace describes itself as an organization of Jewish leftists.

“Like generations of Jewish leftists before us, we fight for the liberation of all people. We believe that through organizing, we can and will dismantle the institutions and structures that sustain injustice and grow something new, joyful, beautiful, and life-sustaining in their place,” a passage on its website’s about page read.

The war in Israel and Gaza has occurred since Oct. 7, when the United States-designated terrorist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. The region was mid-temporary ceasefire on Sunday after a deal was made to exchange hostages during a pause in the firing.

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The initial attack and ensuing war have resulted in thousands of deaths on both sides. Over 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, and the Associated Press reported more than 13,000 Palestinians have been killed in the retaliation effort to destroy Hamas. AP’s death toll for Gaza referenced numbers put out by the Health Ministry of the area’s Hamas-run government.

U.S. officials have cast doubt on the accuracy of numbers being reported by organizations overseen by Hamas.