More than two dozen New York elected officials rallied at City Hall in support of Israel.
The politicians said Monday that Israel has a right to defend itself in its current conflict with Gaza militants.
They include Reps. Charles Rangel, Nita Lowey and Jerrold Nadler, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and several city council members.
Mayor Bill de Blasio did not attend. But he has previously voiced his support for Israel.
Nearly 100 pro-Palestinian protesters staged a counter-demonstration outside the City Hall gates.
They loudly chanted "They do not speak for us!" At times they drowned out the speakers.
The new outbreak of violence followed the killings of three kidnapped Israeli teenagers in the West Bank and the killing of a Palestinian teenager in an apparent revenge attack.
