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NYPD officers found themselves in the middle of a brutal melee this week as pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian supporters clashed with each other during protests. The two opposing sides have been assaulting each other since Tuesday in Midtown and tensions continued to escalate during demonstrations in lower Manhattan Friday. The demonstrations came after 11 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which, according to reports, have left 240 people dead.
In the past week, other cities around the country have seen similar unrests during protests and demonstrations.
The violence around New York City has prompted the NYPD to increase security at synagogues and Jewish centers around the city, including the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
Mayor Bill de Blasio condemned the violence and said in a statement: “It’s absolutely disgusting and unacceptable.”
So far, NYPD officers have arrested 26 offenders in the violence that unfolded in Times Square and lower Manhattan.
