The New York Police Department has opened an investigation into a series of incidents that resulted from clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters during a visit by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in which two women protesting against the visit were assaulted.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on social media that police are investigating a series of clashes between protesters on Thursday, which began when a group of anti-Israel protesters surrounded the world headquarters of a synagogue in Brooklyn.

He added that initial reports indicate that one anti-visit protester was isolated from her group and harassed by pro-Israel protesters, sustaining injuries. He pointed to another incident in which a second woman was cornered and "subjected to vile threats by pro-Israel protesters."

Adams said police are working to identify those involved in the attack, and one person has been arrested. He added that "hate has no place" in New York City.

The New York Times reported that chants of "Death to Arabs" were chanted and that in one incident, hundreds of men and boys surrounded a woman, shouting racist and sexist obscenities.

Amid the quarrel between the two groups, Israeli Defense Minister Ben-Gvir's speech was canceled.

Human rights defenders have expressed concerns about rising Islamophobia, anti-Arab bias, and anti-Semitism during the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip that followed the October 7 attack (Operation Protective Edge).

Last Monday, Ben-Gvir arrived in the United States, his first visit as minister since assuming his duties in late 2022.

Ben-Gvir's office said he would meet with officials in the United States, but as of Thursday, no American officials had met with him.

The previous US administration, headed by Joe Biden, boycotted Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, due to his opposition to peace and his calls for war, starvation and displacement of Palestinians, and the establishment of settlements in the Gaza Strip after its occupation.

Upon his arrival in the United States, Israelis criticized Ben-Gvir for his opposition to the prisoner exchange agreement and ceasefire in Gaza, according to videos posted on social media.

With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 168,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing.

Source: Agencies