Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) after an anti-Israel protest organized by Within Our Lifetime (WOL) at Grand Central Station. The protest, which took place hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House, was condemned by Duffy as “disgusting” and “antisemitic.” The MTA disputed Duffy’s claim that the station was shut down during the protest, stating that service was not affected. However, protest organizers and online videos contradicted this statement, indicating that multiple entrances were shut down by the NYPD during the demonstration. Duffy called on the MTA to hold the organizers accountable and condemn the antisemitic behavior of the protesters.
Grand Central Station has been the site of multiple anti-Israel protests since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. On Oct. 27, 2023, protesters demonstrated in the station demanding a ceasefire and caused the station to shut down. The MTA expressed disappointment that the protest interfered with commuters’ daily lives. In response to the recent protest organized by WOL on April 7, 2025, Duffy criticized the MTA for not acknowledging the impact of the demonstration on Jewish Americans who feared for their safety. Duffy called on the MTA to condemn the protesters and take action to prevent future disruptions at the station.
The founder of WOL, Nerdeen Kiswani, defended the protest by stating that the NYPD shut down multiple entrances at Grand Central during the demonstration, bringing the heart of NYC to a halt. Kiswani highlighted the group’s history of protesting in Grand Central without permits or arrests, with no previous lockdowns. This conflicts with the MTA’s statement that service was not affected by the recent protest. Duffy called the MTA’s response a failure to acknowledge the concerns of Jewish Americans and accused the agency of enabling antisemitic harassment by not condemning the protest.
The exchange between Duffy and the MTA reflects heightened tensions surrounding anti-Israel protests in New York City. The MTA’s handling of the recent protests at Grand Central Station has been criticized for failure to acknowledge the impact on commuters and Jewish Americans. Duffy’s call for accountability and condemnation of the protesters indicates a growing concern over the safety and security of commuters in the face of disruptive demonstrations. The MTA’s disputed claim that service was not affected during the recent protest highlights the need for transparency and accurate reporting on the impact of such events on public transportation.
Overall, the recent anti-Israel protest at Grand Central Station has reignited discussions on the handling of demonstrations and disruptions in public spaces. The exchange between Secretary Duffy and the MTA underscores the importance of acknowledging the concerns of affected communities and taking swift action to prevent future disruptions. As tensions continue to rise in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict, efforts to ensure the safety and security of all commuters and travelers in New York City remain a top priority for city officials and transportation authorities.
