More than 100 arrested as New Yorkers protest Netanyahu’s UN visit
Demonstrators blocked streets and marched towards UN headquarters as the Israeli PM addressed world leaders at UNGA.
Multiple protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took place in New York as he addressed the United Nations General Assembly, with more than 100 people arrested as demonstrators demanded accountability over Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and an end to United States military support.
“I’m born and raised in New York City, and it’s a total disrespect for Benjamin Netanyahu to be here,” Jose, a protest attendee who only gave his first name, told Al Jazeera. “He’s a war criminal, and we don’t tolerate that.”
More than 400 people, including celebrities, organisers and politicians, joined an action near the UN earlier on Thursday, according to Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). The sit-in blocked part of First Avenue ahead of Netanyahu’s UNGA address. The protest was led by JVP and NYC-Democratic Socialists of America.
“We don’t want our tax dollars spent bombing children. We want them to fund schools here,” Carrel said. “Many of my comrades were arrested, and we will stay here. We will stay fighting until the genocide is over.”