ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Pro-Palestinian Activists Occupy MoMA, Disrupt Jewish Museum Talk in New York

other · 2026-04-27

On February 10, 2024, approximately 500 protesters advocating for Palestine took over the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, demanding a ceasefire and the liberation of Palestine. They criticized five trustees—Leon Black, Larry Fink, Paula Crown, Marie-Josée Kravis, and Ronald S. Lauder—for their supposed financial ties to Israeli military arms. The sit-in commenced at 3:45 PM and continued for more than an hour until security intervened, leading the demonstrators to gather outside. This event was associated with a rally by WOL Palestine at the Brooklyn Museum, which saw over 300 participants. In a separate incident, Writers Against the War on Gaza interrupted a discussion at the Jewish Museum, asserting that the "7 October 2023" exhibition served as political propaganda for Israel.

Key facts

  • 500 pro-Palestinian protesters occupied MoMA on February 10, 2024.
  • Protesters distributed 1,000 pamphlets denouncing five MoMA trustees for alleged investments in Israeli military arms.
  • The sit-in lasted over an hour before security removed protesters.
  • A separate protest of over 300 people occurred outside the Brooklyn Museum, organized by WOL Palestine.
  • Both actions were spurred by an open letter signed by over 100 New York cultural workers.
  • Writers Against the War on Gaza disrupted a talk at the Jewish Museum of New York.
  • The talk featured director James Snyder and artist Zoya Cherkassky, tied to her exhibition '7 October 2023'.
  • Activists claimed the exhibition was pro-Israel propaganda and cited International Court of Justice findings of genocidal intent.

Entities

Artists

  • Zoya Cherkassky
  • Pablo Picasso

Institutions

  • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Brooklyn Museum
  • Jewish Museum of New York
  • WOL Palestine (Within Our Lifetime Palestine)
  • Writers Against the War on Gaza (WAWOG)
  • International Court of Justice

Locations

  • New York City
  • New York
  • United States

Sources