Massive New York Protests Meet Netanyahu During UN Visit
Massive protests hit New York City as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived for a brief UN General Assembly visit, leading to arrests of high-profile figures near the United Nations.
A massive wave of protests swept New York City coinciding with the arrival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the United Nations General Assembly during a brief visit lasting only several hours. Demonstrations began the night before, when giant protest projections featuring Netanyahu's face labeled as "wanted for genocide" were displayed on the Brooklyn Bridge. Hundreds of Israeli and American demonstrators took to the streets of Manhattan at multiple locations, with primary events unfolding near the UN headquarters in East Manhattan and Union Square.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that he would not personally participate in the demonstrations, though the municipal administration stated that no disciplinary measures or penalties would be enforced against city employees choosing to join the protests. Near the UN headquarters, protesters blocked major thoroughfares. New York Police Department officers deployed to the area, initiating clearances and mass arrests of marchers who refused to vacate the roads.
Notable Arrests and Figures at the Protests
Among those detained were actress and "Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon, Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon, and Linda Sarsour, an advisor to Mayor Mamdani whose entry into Israel was recently barred. Additional arrestees included Drialys Avila Chevalier, a Democratic congressional candidate who won her primary with Mamdani's backing, and former intelligence whistleblower Chelsea Manning. Alongside the detainees, other prominent figures spotted at the UN perimeter included actor Elliot Page, Jewish comedian and actress Hannah Einbinder, and Jewish congressional candidate Brad Lander.
Demonstrators carried anti-government banners and chanted slogans directed at the governmental motorcade, shouting, "Netanyahu, go to hell." Simultaneously, dozens of Israeli protesters gathered at Union Square for a demonstration organized by the unXeptable movement.
"Right before Netanyahu addresses the UN during a seven-hour visit to New York to defend the consequences of his failures, we are gathering to vote virtually and send a clear message of change," stated Ophir and the unXeptable organizing team.
Union Square Rally and Virtual Ballot Boxes
Organizers installed virtual ballot boxes at Union Square to allow citizens to cast symbolic votes ahead of upcoming elections in Israel, delivering a message demanding political change. Speaking from a stage erected in Union Square was Eyal Eshel, father of observer Roni Eshel, who fell during service. Other notable speakers included protest leader Ami Dror, Israeli-American peace activist Ilana Zeitchik, and Rabbi Sara Rines of Temple Emanu-El.
