JFK Airport Limits AirTrain Access Amid Pro-Palestine Protest

John F. Kennedy International Airport restricted access to its AirTrain Jamaica Station on Wednesday after pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered to protest what activists said was a planned afternoon shipment of about 22,000 pounds of weapons for Israeli firm Elbit Systems. Airport officials issued a travel advisory telling travelers to expect delays and allowing only airline passengers with tickets and employees with identification to use the people-mover system. Several dozen protesters chanted slogans including “Shut it down” and “Globalize the intifada” outside the AirTrain entrance. Attempts by the group to enter adjacent Long Island Rail Road platforms were rebuffed by transit personnel, according to eyewitness accounts, leading the crowd to remain outside the terminal area. Tensions flared between demonstrators and passers-by, and a woman reportedly suffered a heat-related seizure near the tram entrance while the area was congested, eyewitnesses said. No arrests or serious injuries had been confirmed by authorities as of late afternoon, but the Port Authority urged travelers to allow extra time reaching terminals while the protest continued.