Thousands of people who support Israel's actions gathered near the Israeli Consulate yesterday afternoon. Governor David Paterson, one of many elected officials on hand, wore a red hat, which NY1 explains "symboliz[e] the red alerts many in Israel experience day after day, under rocket fire from Hamas-controlled Gaza." He said, "We recognize the right of the state of Israel to protect itself. We recognize the right of the men and women of that great state to protect its own children." Paterson added, "For the last three and a half years, Israel's been bombarded daily by a number of rockets coming from Gaza. The founding charter of Hamas calls for the obliteration of the state of Israel." more ›

Newsday reports that Nassau County police arrested Stephen Buttafuoco, 23, who "interrupted the celebration's final prayers with recorded Arabic chants of 'God is great'" last week. That chant "spark[ed] fear among the 700 guests of a terrorist attack." Buttafuoco, a waiter for the wedding's catering company at the Woodbury Jewish Center (natch, he was fired), recorded the chants—"Allahu Akbar"— from the January 3 pro-Palestine rally in NYC and then played them over the PA system. He was charged with aggravated harassment; a grand jury will decide whether to charge him with disruption of a religious service. His lawyer, who suggested his client might be rebelling against his pro-Israel church preacher father, told Newsday the charges were harsh but added, "On the other hand, I can understand the concern of the members of Jewish community who were at this wedding." We'll wait for the newlyweds and/or Woodbury Jewish Center suing the catering company. more ›

Mayor Bloomberg's high-profile support for Israel's actions against Hamas—from press conferences to actually traveling to Israel—has not gone unnoticed. Yesterday, a group of protesters gathered outside City Hall to throw shoes at Bloomberg (okay, a picture of him). more ›

As the situation in the Gaza Strip escalates—besides Mayor Bloomberg heading to Israel to show support, diplomats say the U.S. blocked a U.N. statement asking for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas—tensions are high. The Daily News reports, "thousands of Palestinian supporters demonstrated in Times Square Saturday to protest Israel's punishing military offensive..." with the "wave of protesters stretched across three blocks, dwarfing the dozens of boisterous supporters of Israel assembled across Seventh Ave". more ›

Last night, protestors gathered to protest both Israel and Hamas outside the Israeli Consulate in Midtown East. The AP reports the pro-Palestine group "held Palestinian flags and chanted 'Free Palestine,' and one demonstrator said that Israel is "punishing an entire population for the actions of a few." Across the street, a smaller pro-Israel group had gathered (with signs like "Israel must defend itself"). more ›

According to the Israeli daily Ha'aretz, "Rap group Wu-Tang Clan to tour Israel in May; one member says they `want to show solidarity` with people of Israel." more ›