A video of Todd Richman, co-founder of Democratic Majority for Israel, caught in a group of pro-Palestinian protesters in Manhattan’s Union Square is rapidly spreading on social media. Following a brief exchange of words, the situation escalated into a scuffle, during which Richman was punched in the nose with a tambourine. The footage shows Richman desperately trying to maintain his composure as keffiyeh-draped protesters mock and confront him. His only ‘crime’ was carrying an Israeli flag; the blow to his head left him bleeding, prompting police to rush to his aid.
The assault of @toddrichman in broad daylight by masked protestors is despicable and must be widely denounced.
— Jonathan Allen ✡️ (@jonathanallen44) October 7, 2024
Seeing a Jewish leader wearing a #BringThemHome shirt being surrounded and attacked on the street…
Wonder why Jews don’t feel safe? pic.twitter.com/PlGJWXr90U
The infuriating incident took place on 7 October, the first anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel. The anniversary was marked by several pro-Israel demonstrations, but significantly more pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas protests across the United States and major Western European capitals. In Washington, D.C., for instance, one protester carried a Hamas flag, while another held a sign with the caption: ‘Killing our leaders only makes us stronger,’ accompanied by photographs of the recently deceased Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Richman released a statement on Tuesday expressing gratitude for the support and confirming that there were no serious injuries. ‘As Americans, we have the right to protest, but yesterday, on the one-year anniversary of the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, pro-Hamas agitators in New York City crossed a line,’ he emphasized. Richman further stated—an assertion with which many would concur: ‘Pro-Israel Americans must be able to walk freely and without fear through the streets of New York.’
The incident was also addressed by Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who called for an investigation into the group of protesters who attacked Richman. ‘Arrest every individual involved in these attacks, and investigate who is funding them,’ he wrote on X.
Arrest every single person involved in these attacks and then investigate who is funding them.https://t.co/zxEVdFGuE7
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 8, 2024
In the United States, as well as in Western European countries, such incidents are unfortunately not surprising, especially given the anti-Israel sentiment prevalent on American campuses since the outbreak of the Gaza war. Jewish students frequently face harassment and exclusion, often at the hands of left-leaning peers sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, simply due to their Jewish identity. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are typically more prominent than pro-Israel supporters at solidarity rallies, which has frequently led to incidents similar to what occurred with Richman. Anti-Semitic crimes in the West are on the rise. In Germany, the government recently tightened regulations targeting slogans and activities considered supportive of terrorism or anti-Semitism, in response to the scale and nature of pro-Palestinian protests and the conduct observed at these events.
An Island of Peace
From a Hungarian perspective, however, the events unfolding in the West seem unimaginable and surreal. Just days before the 7 October anniversary, the 2nd International Pro-Israel Summit was held in Budapest, organized by the Center for Fundamental Rights. The conference featured prominent speakers, including Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev and Yair Netanyahu, the son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (the latter appearing via video message). Regev expressed her gratitude to Budapest for its support during challenging times and highlighted that, for the Jewish community, Hungary is considered one of the safest countries in the world.
‘From a Hungarian perspective, however, the events unfolding in the West seem unimaginable and surreal’
Since the outbreak of the war, pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been banned in Hungary—similar to the measures currently in place in Germany. As a result, the 7 October anniversary was commemorated in a more peaceful environment for members of the Jewish community. The memorial, organized by the Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary (Mazsihisz), the Embassy of Israel, and the MERKAZ Israeli Cultural Institute, was also attended by Yacov Hadas-Handelsman, Israel’s Ambassador to Hungary. In his speech, he pointed out that the Hungarian government is actively protecting Jewish communities and highlighted the shared values between Israel and Hungary. The event took place without any disturbances.
The case of the 7 October commemorations in the West and in Hungary presents two parallel and completely different realities: the former is characterized by chaos and anti-Semitism, with the authorities under constant pressure to control the mob supporting with Hamas and Palestine. The latter is presented as an island of peace, where the Jewish community can live in safety, free from the fear of anti-Semitic atrocities.
Nevertheless, Hungary continues to be accused of anti-Semitism, often ironically by the very countries where anti-Jewish sentiment is rampant. A notable example is the statement made last year by David Pressman, the US Ambassador to Hungary, who condemned a poster campaign by the Hungarian government parties as antisemitic. In response, János Turai, President of the Jewish Community of Vác, retorted: ‘Why don’t you focus on combating antisemitism and racism in your own country or in the major cities of Western Europe, where Jews are truly unsafe—where Holocaust survivors have been murdered by their racist immigrant neighbours, and where bloodthirsty crowds call daily for the extermination of Jews and the destruction of Israel? This is not Budapest; this is not Hungary!’
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