The Times of Israel Daily Briefing Devoted NYC protesters hold final hostage rally
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Feb 2, 2026 Luke Tress, New York correspondent for The Times of Israel, gives on-the-ground reporting from NYC and nearby cities. He covers a final Central Park rally for hostages and the mixed relief and sorrow it brought. He reports on a car ramming at a Chabad headquarters and emerging details. He outlines NYC Council’s new antisemitism task force and proposed limits on synagogue protests.
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Protest Rhetoric Becoming More Violent
- Luke Tress reports protests have escalated with more violent rhetoric and imagery in recent months.
- Jewish groups worry the rhetoric is becoming explicitly threatening and normalizing calls for attacks.
Weekly Central Park Gatherings Built Community
- Central Park rallies formed a tight-knit community that met weekly until the last hostage was returned.
- Organizers said they feel relief at fulfilling their promise but mourn the many hostages killed in captivity.
Small Core Kept Rallies Going
- A small core of about 25 people kept the New York branch of the Hostages Forum meeting weekly.
- They continued until Ran Gvili was brought home and felt they had played a meaningful role.