Dozens of anti-Israel protesters caused a major disruption in Lower Manhattan on Monday morning, as they swarmed three bridges and the Holland Tunnel, resulting in more than 130 arrests. The demonstrators, part of the "Shut it Down for Palestine" rally, marched through City Hall Park before converging on the transportation infrastructure, leading to traffic blockages and widespread chaos.

According to police reports, the protesters began their disruptive activities after crossing City Hall Park. Shouting slogans and holding signs demanding the "Lift the Siege of Gaza, Ceasefire Now" and "End the Occupation, Free All Palestinian Prisoners, USA Stop Arming Israel," they moved towards the bridges and the tunnel.

The situation escalated when a maroon Honda driver expressed his frustration, yelling at the ralliers for disrupting traffic and pointing out that their actions were against the law. Another individual present at the scene captured the confrontation on his phone, shouting, "Hit 'em all! Run 'em over!"

Amidst the heated exchange, the Honda driver got out of his vehicle and physically confronted three protesters, urging them to stay away from his car while emphasizing the urgency of getting home as he mentioned having a daughter in Brooklyn. Eventually, the protesters backed off.

The chaos unfolded after 10 a.m., with approximately 40 protesters on the Brooklyn Bridge, 12 on the Manhattan Bridge, 75 on the Williamsburg Bridge, and numerous others within the Holland Tunnel, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD). Footage posted on social media captured a group of demonstrators in front of the tunnel entrance, brandishing signs and passionately chanting, "Free, free Palestine!"

Law enforcement sources reported that over 130 arrests were made at the Holland Tunnel by Port Authority Police, with additional arrests at the bases of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. Photos depicted the suspects being handcuffed with zip ties and corralled onto a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus near the entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The Brooklyn Bridge was reopened for traffic at approximately 10:45 a.m., and by 11 a.m., there were no signs of the protesters near the bridge or City Hall. The swift response from law enforcement helped restore order and ensure the safety of the public.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between supporters of Palestine and Israel, with protests erupting in various cities worldwide to denounce the Israeli occupation and advocate for Palestinian rights. The disruptive action taken by the protesters in Lower Manhattan underscores the deep emotions and division surrounding the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.