The anti-Israel "Land Day" protest in Times Square March 30 drew less than 30 participants. Photo: Maxine Dovere.

NEW YORK—The turnout for an anti-Israel “Land Day” demonstration in New York City’s Times Square March 30 was “under 30,” according to an informal estimate New York Police Department officers gave JointMedia News Service on scene.

The larger crowd anticipated by organizers did not appear for the rally, which was held to support Arab claims to Israel. Sarah Wellington, recently involved in the failed attempt to cause Brooklyn’s Park Slope Food Co-op to boycott Israeli goods, led the demonstrators gathered at 47th Street in Manhattan.

Wellington brought several large black bags of signs, instructing protestors to “try to layer” rather than demonstrating in a straight line. She said “I can’t speak to you” in response to questions from JointMedia News Service.

A kafiyah-wrapped leader led the protestors with calls of “Intifada, Intifada.”

Czech Republic native Libor Von Schonau conjured up classic anti-Semitic stereotypes by saying, “Israel outsourced the occupation.”

“They are controlling Athens and the European Union because Israel is one of the biggest creditors of Greece,” he said.

Also falling short of expectations March 30 was the “Global March on Jerusalem,” which gathered a few thousand marchers in Israel’s neighboring countries after organizers aimed for two million participants.

“We see that once again an attempt to bypass direct [peace] negotiations [with Israel] in favor of publicity stunts and agitation has failed,” the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations said in a statement.