LEADERS of a huge pro-Palestinian protest in Manhattan, New York, were arrested by police on Saturday.

Those taken into custody included People’s Forum director Manolo de Los Santos and organisers of the Palestinian Youth Movement.

The protest, led by the Shut it Down for Palestine coalition, called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to all US funding of Israel.

This followed Friday’s historic judgement by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which demanded that Israeli authorities take urgent action to minimise the brutal violence in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to reach the besieged Palestinians.

The protesters demanded that Israel and its main supporter, the United States, be held accountable for the Israeli violence.

A People’s Forum post on social media site X said: “We condemn the New York Police Department’s intimidation tactics and unjust arrests.

“We will continue to fight for a free Palestine.

“No matter the fear tactics of the [police], the people will stand strong against Israeli occupation and genocide. We march on.”

As well as the Palestinian Youth Movement and the People’s Forum, the broad coalition included American Muslims for Palestine, the Answer Coalition, Jews Against White Supremacy and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Layan Fuleihan of the People’s Forum said: “We will stay in the streets until there is a permanent ceasefire and Palestine is free.” 

The Palestinian Youth Movement’s Munir Marwan said: “Millions of people across the world have remained on the streets in profound solidarity with the Palestinian people and their liberation struggle. 

“The people will not back down.”

In Columbia, South Carolina, a motorcade carrying President Joe Biden encountered a massive protest for Palestine.

Mr Biden — branded “Genocide Joe” — is now routinely met with pro-Palestinian protests at all his public appearances.