Michael Rapaport is once again sounding off about New York politics, this time blasting Gov. Kathy Hochul after protests erupted outside a Manhattan synagogue, as reported by Fox News.
The comedian and New York City native delivered his criticism through a series of posts and on his podcast, where he expressed outrage over a crowd of demonstrators near Park East Synagogue on Tuesday night.
The protest, which drew around 100 people, quickly became heated as anti-Israel and pro-Israel groups faced off on the streets.
Police officers from the New York City Police Department intervened to keep the two sides apart while demonstrators on both sides continued to chant.
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Some protesters carried Palestinian flags and wore kaffiyehs, shouting “Israel should not exist,” while others waved Israeli and American flags nearby.
Rapaport shared footage of the scene on X, describing it as “HALLOWEEN SPRING FLING.” He wrote, “Now, right now in NYC, lunatics dressed in Halloween terra costumes are outside of… You guessed it, a Synagogue in NYC.”
He then directly addressed the governor in his post, charging, “@GovKathyHochul, you’ve had 3 years to do a mask mandate & see if this stops the bulls---, you did nothing. RESIGN in SHAME.”
HALLOWEEN SPRING FLING, Now right now in NYC, lunatics dressed in Halloween terra costumes are outside of…. You guessed it a Synagogue in NYC@GovKathyHochul you’ve had 3 years to do a mask mandate & see if this stops the bullshit, you did nothing. RESIGN in SHAME pic.twitter.com/wGUq2sGneB
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) May 6, 2026
The protest outside the synagogue came amid a growing wave of demonstrations across the city, underscoring the tension between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups since earlier conflicts.
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Officers at the site were seen using barriers and stepping between protesters to prevent further escalation as chants of “Palestine will never die” and “Stop the sale of stolen land” echoed through the block.
The gathering was organized by Pal-Awda NY/NJ, which previously staged a similar protest at the same synagogue last November.
That earlier protest prompted the New York City Council to pass new legislation allowing police to set up protective barriers around synagogues and other houses of worship during demonstrations. The measure passed overwhelmingly with a 44 to 5 vote.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who did not sign the bill, allowed it to become law automatically after the April 25 deadline. The law is now being used as officials try to maintain order and safety while respecting the right to protest.
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Rapaport has not been shy about his criticism of city and state leaders, frequently calling out what he views as weak responses to unrest in the city.
The actor and comedian, known for his outspoken nature on social media, used the latest protest to amplify his push for accountability, specifically targeting Governor Hochul this time.
His comments sparked renewed attention on social media as users debated whether his frustration reflects a larger public sentiment about how New York handles demonstrations involving faith or political identity.
While officials have not publicly responded to Rapaport’s demand that Hochul “resign in shame,” the incident has reignited debate about how city leaders balance free expression with security.
At the same time, police presence around the Park East Synagogue continues as both city and state leaders are pressed to ensure Jewish communities feel safe amid rising tensions.
Fox News Digital reported that Anders Hagstrom contributed to the coverage, and Stephanie Giang-Paunon wrote the piece for the outlet’s entertainment section.
This latest confrontation, both on the streets and on social media, underscores how volatile the city’s political climate remains when it comes to protests, policing, and public accountability.
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