Brad Lander heckled over Israel views at New York rally against RSS speaker

At a protest outside Madison Square Garden against a speech by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Mohan Bhagwat, Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander was confronted by several demonstrators who shouted anti-Zionist insults and demanded his departure. Lander, a Jewish liberal Zionist who has denounced Israel’s Gaza campaign as genocide, replied calmly, even telling one heckler “Bring it on,” and remained at the rally.

While some attendees welcomed his presence and shook his hand, Hindu and Muslim organizations later issued statements apologizing for the abuse and praising his opposition to the RSS. Lander, a former city comptroller and ally of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, said the incident would not deter him from future anti-hate actions. Commentators noted the episode underscores the growing polarization in the United States over Israel and the challenge of separating anti-Zionism from antisemitism.