Watch the moment that a pro-Palestine protester admits demonstrations are 'disrespectful' on October 7

Clashes erupt at NYC protest | Ben Leo SWARMED by masked Pro-Hamas protesters on October 7th |

GB NEWS

Gabrielle Wilde

By Gabrielle Wilde


Published: 08/10/2025

- 09:34

The GB News Late Show’s Ben Leo was on the ground in New York covering a pro-Palestine protest

A pro-Palestine protester has admitted that demonstrations held on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terror attack are "a little bit disrespectful".

Speaking to GB News’ Ben Leo during a rally in New York, the man confessed he only joined the protest because of his girlfriend, but acknowledged the timing was inappropriate.


Other demonstrators were less apologetic. One masked protester openly admitted to flying a Hamas flag, despite acknowledging the group is a proscribed terrorist organisation.

The masked protester proudly told Ben: "It’s Hamas."

When pressed, the man acknowledged the group is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK but defended his actions, claiming: "It’s called freedom of speech… People can support whatever they want."

Ben responded: "Some would say you’re supporting terrorists, people who slaughtered 1,200 people two years ago."

Pro Palestine demo in NYC

One man proudly flew a Hamas flag

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The man went on to accuse Israel of staging the massacre, saying: "We don’t support Israel. That’s what happened on October 7, Israel killed their own people to blame Hamas."

When asked why he was covering his face, the protester said he feared being "doxxed", while Ben challenged him for being a "coward".

Ben said: "Are you not being a bit of a coward?"

The protester responded: "No. They’re part of a genocide, and this country is funding and helping them."

A different protester openly admitted that the protest was "disrespectful" on the anniversary of the October 7 murders.

Ben asked him: "Do you think it’s respectful that this kind of event happens on the two-year anniversary, obviously intentionally?"

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The protester said: "I don’t know. To be honest, it might be a little bit disrespectful."

Ben pressed: "But you’re still here?"

He responded: "Yeah. I just came to check it out. I know about the two-year anniversary thing with regard to Jewish people.

"I recognise that might be a little disrespectful, but sometimes you have to be disrespectful in life."

Protester speaking to Ben

One protester admitted that it is 'a bit disrespectful'

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A third activist refused to condemn Hamas, shouting "Glory!" when asked about videos showing civilians being murdered and mutilated during the 2023 terror attack.

Ben explained to him: "Well, the argument is that of course civilians were slaughtered on October 7.

The protester said: "Palestinians are being slaughtered too and at the same or even higher rate than Israelis.

"And on October 7, it was the Hannibal Directive that killed the majority of Israelis. What do you have to say about that, sir?"

Protesters

The protesters swarmed Ben and he challenged them

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Ben explained: "There were videos there was one two years ago today of the woman in the back of the pickup truck with Hamas fighters spitting on her body."

The protester said: "Sir, there’s no equating anything."

On the other side of the protest one Jewish woman told GB News she was "shaking with rage" after seeing demonstrators mark the anniversary by taking to the streets again.

She said: "It angers me so much. Every time I see them, I come out every October 7.

"It’s just so disappointing to see that they’re still going two years later. We’ve been out here every year.

"Every other holiday they come out, and enough is enough. Leave us alone. You’re so obsessed. Leave us alone."

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