'Ballsack Zionist': Jewish politician Lander insulted while protesting NYC Hindu nationalist event

"You look like a scrotum, you filthy ballsack!" one protester shouted at Democratic Congressional candidate Brad Lander at Madison Square Garden, adding. "F*** you, ballsack Zionist!"

Brad Lander, the Jewish progressive Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives in New York’s 10th Congressional District, was targeted with insults and calls to leave over allegations of being a Zionist while attending a protest outside Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

"You look like a scrotum, you filthy ballsack!" one protester shouted at him. "F*** you, ballsack Zionist!"

He was further accused of being "another paid Zionist" and was told to "get out of here."

The confrontation took place during a protest against an event organized by the Hindu nationalist RSS movement. Lander attempted to explain to protesters that he had come to join their cause, but some made clear that, in their view, there was no place at the demonstration for a Zionist, even one who opposes the policies of the Israeli government.

The confrontation was particularly notable given Lander’s own views on Israel. Over the past year, he has become one of the most prominent Jewish critics of Israel within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. He has described the war in Gaza as “genocide,” called for an end to “American complicity” in the conflict, and said he would not support additional military aid to Israel at the time.

Despite those positions, Lander continues to describe himself as a “liberal Zionist.” He supports Israel’s existence as a Jewish and democratic state and opposes the boycott movement against Israel.

Lander tried to explain his position during the confrontation. “I am Brad Lander, the Democratic candidate for Congress in New York’s 10th District, and I came here today to join others and say no to RSS,” he said.

Lander criticizes Madison Square Garden for hosting 'fascist and hateful rally'

He criticized Madison Square Garden for hosting what he described as a “fascist and hateful rally,” comparing the decision to host the event to the infamous pro-Nazi rally held at the venue in 1939.

Not all protesters joined the confrontation. Several attempted to intervene between Lander and those confronting him, urging them to stop. “Brad, please, we are all here for the same cause,” one protester said, while another told Lander that they were trying to protect him.

Lander said he understood their efforts to help him, but he would not accept the demands. “They are making it very difficult for me to leave. They have no right to tell me where to stand.”

Lander, a former New York City comptroller, defeated Rep. Dan Goldman in the June Democratic primary, winning 66% to 34%. Goldman is considered one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent supporters of Israel. Lander received the active backing of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who during the campaign criticized Goldman, among other issues, for supporting military aid to Israel.

Hindu nationalist movement RSS accused of incitement against minorities

The Madison Square Garden event drew thousands of attendees, with RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat serving as the keynote speaker. The Hindu nationalist movement is considered the ideological home of India’s ruling BJP party. Critics accuse the group of extreme nationalism and incitement against minorities, allegations the movement rejects.

The confrontation with Lander highlights growing tensions within the progressive movement over Israel. Even a Jewish politician who adopted much of the left’s harsh criticism of the Gaza war arrived to protest alongside progressive activists and called for a “free Palestine,” yet was still targeted with insults solely because he continues to define himself as a Zionist.