Protesters inside the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) hang a banner accusing the museum's board members of funding the Israeli genocide in Gaza in New York City, United States on Saturday, February 10, 2024. (Social media)

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters staged a demonstration at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City on Saturday, briefly shutting down parts of the world-famous institute's operations.

The activists organized the protest against the museum's directors, accusing them of supporting the Israeli occupation entity as it carries out war crimes in Gaza and is preparing to invade the city of Rafah, currently hosting a population of 1.4 million Palestinians.

A large flag reading "Free Palestine" was hung in the entrance hall as demonstrators demanded some of the MoMA's board members resign for funding "Zionist occupation and genocide" and “settler colonialism”.

Carrying banners with "Cultural workers stand with Gaza" and “Ceasefire Now” written on them, they called for an end to "artistic collaboration" with the entity and the lifting of the occupation's siege off the Strip.

'Museum board directly funds Zionist occupation'

The MoMA's board of trustees Leon Black, Larry Fink, Paula Crown, Marie-Josée Kravis, and Ronald S. Lauder were called out by the activists.

“While MoMA purports ideologies of ‘change’ and ‘creativity,’ the Board of Trustees directly fund Zionist occupation via arms manufacturing, lobbying, and corporate investment. At the same time, the museum derives its legitimacy from artists and cultural workers, including those actively engaged in anti-colonial struggle," read a pamphlet distributed by the protestors to visitors.

Larry Fink is the CEO of the world's largest fund manager BlackRock, currently holding $9.42 billion in assets. The financial giant has wide investments in weapons and defense production companies.

Meanwhile, Leon Black is the founder of private equity firm Apollo Global Management, which owns a defense and security firm.

NOW AT MOMA: PROTESTERS DEMAND DIVESTMENT FROM FUNDERS AIDING GENOCIDE IN GAZA pic.twitter.com/8tWRvwRw4J
— Jason Rosenberg (@mynameisjro) February 10, 2024