around twenty arrests in New York after the irruption of the Brooklyn Museum by pro-Palestinian activists

The demonstration at the American museum echoes those of students at universities across the United States to protest against Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

At least 22 people were arrested after pro-Palestinian activists burst into a New York museum on Friday, May 31, where damage was committed, police announced on Saturday. Hundreds of demonstrators had blocked access to the Brooklyn Museum, chanting pro-Palestinian slogans and brandishing signs, an AFP correspondent noted on Friday.

Some had entered the establishment to hang a banner on the facade proclaiming “Free Palestine, stop the genocide”. “Unfortunately, damage was done and members of our staff were attacked”, said a museum spokesperson. The United States, particularly campuses, have been shaken for several months by demonstrations against the offensive led by Israel in Gaza.

Across the United States, law enforcement officers were called upon by university administrations to dismantle encampments and dislodge demonstrators manu militari. Students are calling in particular on universities to cut ties with patrons or companies linked to Israel.

The war was sparked on October 7 by an unprecedented attack by Hamas commandos infiltrated from Gaza into southern Israel, which resulted in the massacre of at least 1,160 people, most of them civilians, according to one count. from AFP established from official Israeli sources.

According to Israel, around 250 people have been kidnapped and 130 of them are still hostages in Gaza, of whom 33 are believed to have died. In retaliation, Israel promised to annihilate the Islamist movement, in power in Gaza since 2007, which it considers a terrorist organization, as do the United States and the European Union.

His army launched a massive air campaign, followed on October 27 by a ground offensive that allowed it to advance from the north to the south of the small coastal territory and cost the lives of 250 soldiers. Israeli military operations have so far killed 36,379 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, according to the Hamas health ministry.