Anti-Israel and pro-Israel protesters shoved and spit on one another outside the Parsons Benefit gala in lower Manhattan Tuesday — as lavish guests tip-toed around the madness and into the college’s annual event.
The opposing factions faced off outside Cipriani Wall Street around 6:30 p.m., not long after the anti-Israel crowd set up a picket line demanding that the Parsons School of Design divest from Israel-backed companies.
Several members of each group rushed up to one another and engaged in some mild pushing on the street until the NYPD stepped in before it escalated.
Well-dressed partygoers were seen weaving through the chaos to get to the police barriers, which were set up to stop the groups from entering the 75th annual benefit — where an individual ticket cost $2,500.
On the street corner, a man wearing a Keffiyeh was seen shouting at two counter-protesters with all parties threatening violence.
“What are you going to do about it,” the Keffiyeh-wearing man said.
“Let’s go around the corner if you’re worried about cameras,” the counter-protester replied.
That’s when the second man took a step forward, wagging his finger in the anti-Israel protester’s face.
The Keffiyeh-wearing man spit in the face of the advancing man, who immediately returned the favor.
A fellow anti-Israel protester — whose face was covered by a mask and sunglasses — then shoved the spitter away from their group.
“I’ll f–cking mace the s–t out of you,” the one pro-Israel man said.
At least two people were arrested in the mayhem, though it wasn’t clear whether they were charged or issued any summonses.
The woman who shoved the spit-spewing pro-Israel protester was seen being cuffed by police.