Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.
UNION SQUARE, Manhattan (PIX11) --- Police arrested a pro-Palestinian protester for yelling, “Raise your hand if you’re a Zionist,” on a crowded train in the Union Square subway station earlier this month, police said.
Anas Saleh, 24, turned himself in Wednesday morning and was charged with attempted coercion, according to the NYPD. The cops were searching for the Staten Island man after blasting a wanted poster.
The incident happened on the No. 5 train when a group of pro-Palestinian protesters took over the No. 5 subway at around 8:10 p.m. on June 10, police said.
Many of the protesters were clad in masks and scarves before the suspect in sunglasses yelled, “Raise your hand if you’re a Zionist” and “This is your chance to get out,” according to authorities.
When the riders ignored his request, the man said, “Ok, no Zionists. We’re good,” a video showed.
On the same day of the subway incident, Within Our Lifetime, a pro-Palestinian organization, rallied on New York City streets, and subways, and shut down the Nova exhibit on Wall Street. The group called it a “day of rage,” according to its post on X.
Three of the protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct and fare evasion, police said. They were given summonses.