Pro-Palestinian Protesters Block JFK Airport Traffic: Videos

QUEENS, NY — At least 26 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested after they blocked traffic for holiday travelers going into JFK Airport, officials said.

The blockade Wednesday morning on the Van Wyck Expressway prompted some travelers to push past protesters and rush down the road, presumably to make their flights, videos show.

Dozens of protesters can be seen in videos linking hands and blocking traffic on the expressway outside the airport's Terminal 4.

"Palestine will be free," they can be heard chanting.

Officials told Patch that Port Authority police learned about the protest about 11:30 a.m.

Police arrived and made 26 arrests for disorderly conduct and impeding traffic, officials said.

The road reopened at 11:50 a.m., they said.

Port Authority crews scrambled two buses to offer safe rides to the air for travelers, officials said.

The protest is one of several high-profile demonstrations around New York City landmarks, including Times Square and Grand Central, that have arisen after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas forces on Israel.