Thousands demonstrate against Netanyahu at UN General Assembly

Thousands of people took to the streets of New York City on Friday morning to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's presence at the United Nations General Assembly.

The demonstrators – estimated at around 5,000 – began by gathering at 9 am at Times Square. From there, they marched to the UN building, where Netanyahu was scheduled to give an address at the annual event.

They held signs reading: "Let Gaza live", "Stand with Gaza" and "Every martyr is a universe", as they chanted, “Netanyahu, you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide.”

Though speaking at the UNGA is not unusual for the Israeli prime minister, this year’s visit follows an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for him and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes.

In November, the ICC charged him with starvation, murder, persecution and other inhumane acts in the Gaza war. It also follows recognition earlier this month by the UN that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

“We wanted him to know he’s not welcome in this city. He’s a war criminal with an ICC warrant for his arrest,” Nas Issa, a New York-based member of the Palestinian Youth Movement, told The New Arab.

“There’s a growing international consensus around demanding an arms embargo,” she said.

In his speech, Netanyahu described the recent recognition of a Palestinian state by several Western countries as a “mark of shame.”

He went on to thank US President Donald Trump for US involvement in bombing Iranian nuclear site in June.

The Israeli prime minister had ordered that loudspeakers broadcast his speech near the Gaza perimeter fence, saying that this was for Israeli captives held by Hamas and other groups to hear.

"Our brave heroes," he said from the UN podium. "This is Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking to you live from the United Nations.
We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you. We will not falter, and we will not rest until we bring all of you home.”

Netanyahu has rejected numerous ceasefire proposals that would have seen remaining Israeli captives released and their families have accused him of deliberately prolonging the conflict.

Led by the Colombian delegation, dozens of diplomats from around the world walked out of Netanyahu’s speech and joined the protest outside the building.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro took a bullhorn and urged US soldiers at the demonstration not to point their guns at the protesters. In response, the Trump administration have threatened to revoke Petro’s visa.

The demonstration ended around 1 pm. Protesters described it as one of the most energetic since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023.

Issa said, “Two years into this, there can be feelings of despair. The antidote to this despair is seeing thousands of people coming out into the streets.”