Anti-Israel protesters trying to disrupt President Biden’s big-money Manhattan fundraiser Friday night clashed with cops and set off smoke bombs — leading to dozens of arrests, sources said.
At least 32 demonstrators were arrested as they marched from Madison Square Garden toward the Hammerstein Ballroom on West 34th Street in Midtown, police sources said.
Video shows the mob of protesters — many of them masked — and police in riot gear trading shoves as they met on the sidewalk on the corner of West 34th Street and Eighth Avenue, less than a block from the venue.
Cops could be seen taking several protesters into custody through the thick plume of smoke as others in the group tried to wrestle them away from police.
“Clear the block,” one officer can be heard yelling in the chaos.
Another cop on a megaphone futilely demands the protesters to disperse or be arrested.
“There is only one solution — Intifada revolution!” demonstrators chanted.
The flag-waving protesters also briefly stormed the lobby of the James A. Farley Building on Eighth Avenue and attempted to climb another flight of stairs inside before returning to the street, video shows.
The demonstration was organized by anti-Israel activist group Within Our Lifetime, who wrote on a flier: “genocidal politicians are not welcome in New York City.”
Inside the Hammerstein Ballroom, over 640 donors listened to Biden, 81, again insist he’s up to the task of running the country for a second term.
“Folks, I would not be running again if I did not believe with all of my heart and soul that I can do this job because quite frankly, the stakes are too high. Donald Trump is a genuine threat to this nation,” he told supporters — repeating the same assertion made at an earlier rally in North Carolina.
Tickets for the fundraiser ranged from $250 for balcony seats to up to $500,000 for a table, sources told The Post.
Actors Billy Porter and Alan Cumming were in attendance.
Biden arrived at the big-money haul around 7:45 p.m. and left shortly before 9:30 p.m.
The fundraiser and protests came one day after Biden’s dreadful, age-revealing performance in the first presidential debate with his Republican opponent Donald Trump.
Hours earlier, the liberal New York Times Editorial Board called for Biden to bow out of the presidential race due to his obvious aging.
Biden arrived in New York Friday for what is expected to be a major, two-day fundraising haul.
Earlier in the day he joined rock icon Elton John and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in Greenwich Village to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots.
On Saturday, he’s expected to travel to the sprawling East Hampton estate owned by hedge fund manager Barry Rosenstein for a major, star-studded fundraiser.
The host committee includes celebrity couple Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Michael J. Fox and his wife Tracy Pollan as well as Clinton allies Nicole and Michael Fox and hedge fund manager Eric Mindich, according to the East Hampton Press.
They’ve each shelled out at least $250,000 to meet Biden.
Tickets started at $3,300 — but a $30,000 “champion” ticket gets you a photo with the president and “preferred seating” at the event. A $100,000 “co-host” ticket gets you a photo for two and preferred seating.
Additional reporting by Dorian Geiger
