NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch apologizes to synagogue congregation for protest response

Thomas Tracy and John Annese, New York Daily News on Nov 23, 2025

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NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch apologized to the congregation of Manhattan’s historic Park East Synagogue after a pro-Palestinian protest outside the house of worship turned into “turmoil” last week.

Tisch, speaking to the congregation during Saturday services, said the NYPD should have set up a “frozen zone” outside the entrance Thursday, after about 75 pro-Palestinian and 75 pro-Israel protestors squared off outside the 68th St. synagogue.

“People have the right to protest, including within sight and sound of a house of worship. They have the right to say things that are incredibly painful to hear. I understand that pain, deeply and personally,” Tisch said Saturday. “But the right to say those things is protected by the First Amendment, and the NYPD must uphold that right.

“Our other job that night was to ensure that people could easily enter and leave shul. That is where we fell short. And for that, I apologize to this congregation.”

The confrontation happened as Nefesh B’Nefesh — an organization that assists Jewish immigration to Israel from the U.S. and Canada — held a program. Palestinian Assembly for Liberation NY/NJ organized the protest at the event, which the activist organization called a “settler recruiting fair.”

Pro-Palestinian protesters can be seen on camera chanting “Intifada,” “Death to the IDF” and “Resistance, Take Another Settler Out” while members of the pro-Israel camp called them “p—ies” and “cowards” and demanded they take off their face masks.

Pro-Israel advocates and Jewish leaders blasted the protest as antisemitic, and Gov. Hochul called it “a blatant attack on the Jewish community.”

Mayor Adams condemned the protesters’ language on X.com as “totally unacceptable no matter your faith or background.”

This type of protest and vile language should concern us all. When you desecrate one house of worship, you desecrate them all,” he said.

In a statement to amNY, a spokesperson for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani charged “The Mayor-elect has discouraged the language used at last night’s protest and will continue to do so.

“He believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation, and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law.”

A high-ranking police source said the protest was handled entirely by the 19th Precinct, and resulted in no violence, no summonses and no arrests.

Covering the building, which spans a block and has entrances on both E. 67th and E. 68th Sts. presented a challenge, and the NYPD set up pens with barricades for both sides of the protest.

The pro-Israel side went into their pen, but the pro-Palestinian protestors showed up later and headed for the building entrance before ultimately pulling back to their pen, the source said.

Tisch told the congregation that because the police didn’t set up a frozen zone at the entrance, “the space right outside your steps was chaotic.”

“You deserved an NYPD posture that recognized the sensitivity of this location, the climate we’re living in, and the heightened fear within our community,” she said. “Instead, you had turmoil.”

Tisch got a standing ovation after her remarks, said Elliot Felig, a congregation member and former Manhattan prosecutor.

“She spoke very sincerely,” he said. “I believe she is sincerely committed to making sure that a community feels safe. And I give her credit, she acknowledged that despite their sincere effort to keep the peace, it could have been handled better.”

A source familiar with Tisch’s appearance said New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke after her, calling her the Hebrew name for a “woman of valor.”