Democratic Rep. Josh Riley of New York was briefly forced to leave his own town hall event on October 6 after anti-Israel protesters interrupted him for several minutes, shouting over his remarks and accusing him of supporting “genocide” for backing Israel’s war against Hamas.

Riley, who represents a competitive upstate New York district, was speaking at a public meeting held at the State University of New York (SUNY) Sullivan campus when protesters began heckling him.

Video and eyewitness accounts show that he was shouted down for nearly six minutes before stepping away from the event.

According to local reports, the disruption began when a woman stood up and shouted, “Seventy-five percent of Democratic voters are against you — the United States — giving arms to Israel. Why are you voting for arms to Israel?” Riley attempted to respond but was repeatedly interrupted.

“I would love to answer your question,” Riley said, urging the protester to allow him to speak in an orderly manner.

The woman continued to interrupt, shouting, “People are dying. Americans do not want to support genocide.”

The protester also criticized Riley for participating in a congressional trip to Israel in August, organized by the American Israel Education Foundation, an affiliate of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

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Riley again tried to respond but was met with further disruption from multiple protesters.

“You’re filibustering!” one man shouted, while the woman continued, “You’re supposed to listen to your voters!”

Riley replied, “I’m trying to,” before leaving the room.

The female protester exited the venue shortly afterward, allowing Riley to return and continue the town hall.

Local outlet River Reporter confirmed that the event resumed after several minutes.

The confrontation came as support for Israel has weakened within the Democratic Party amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on Friday under a deal negotiated in part by President Donald Trump.

Polling data has reflected a broader divide among Democrats on U.S. policy toward Israel. A Quinnipiac University poll released in August found that three out of four Democratic voters oppose additional U.S. military aid to Israel.

Riley’s tense town hall follows a series of similar disruptions directed at other prominent Democrats, including Kamala Harris, whose book tour events have been interrupted by anti-Israel demonstrators in multiple cities.

During the same event, Riley was questioned on domestic issues, including federal immigration enforcement.

When asked how local authorities could require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to unmask during operations, he replied, “Local law enforcement no matter who you are should not be wearing masks.”

He also reiterated support for creating a pathway to citizenship for illegal migrants who do not have criminal records.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) criticized Riley’s comments, accusing him of backing policies that weaken law enforcement.

“Radical Democrat Josh Riley has zero respect for anyone who disagrees with his dangerous, far-left agenda that prioritizes criminals and illegal immigrants above law enforcement heroes and hardworking New Yorkers,” NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole said in a statement.

Although Riley voted in favor of Republican-sponsored legislation aimed at penalizing criminal illegal migrants, he opposed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which increased funding for ICE detention facilities and allocated funds for completion of the southern border wall.

Riley said at the time that Republicans were “sh*tting” on the middle class by tying immigration enforcement to reductions in social program spending.

The New York Post has also reported that Riley invested up to $15,000 in a “women-owned, queer-led” distillery that markets politically themed spirits such as “Fascist Tears” vodka and “Dissent” gin.

Political analysts currently rate the 2026 race for New York’s 17th Congressional District as “Lean Democrat.”

Riley defeated then-Rep. Marc Molinaro in 2024 in what became the most expensive House race of that cycle.

Molinaro, now serving as head of the Federal Transit Administration, is not expected to seek a rematch.