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Netanyahu UN Visit Sparks New York Protests With Over 100 Arrests — AI-generated representative image: Protesters demonstrate near the UN headquarters in New York during Netanyahu's General Assembly visit.

Editorial Team

Demonstrators demand Gaza accountability and an end to US military support during the UN General Assembly

More than 100 people were arrested in New York on Thursday as multiple protests erupted against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his address to the United Nations General Assembly. Demonstrators demanded accountability over Israel's war on Gaza and an end to United States military support, with the New York Police Department confirming 103 arrests for disorderly conduct, all of whom were later released.

The demonstrations brought long-simmering opposition to Israel's military campaign directly to the streets of New York, converging with Netanyahu's high-profile UN appearance. Protesters sought to pressure both international leaders and the US government to act over Gaza, while also drawing attention to New York's own role in facilitating American military aid to Israel.

Major Protest Actions

More than 400 people, including celebrities, organisers and politicians, joined a sit-in near the UN earlier on Thursday, blocking part of First Avenue ahead of Netanyahu's address. The action was led by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and NYC-Democratic Socialists of America. Hours later, thousands of protesters marched toward UN headquarters in a separate demonstration organised by the Palestinian Youth Movement and The People's Forum.

Organisers said nine of those arrested were elected officials and candidates for office. Among them was Darializa Avila Chevalier, the Democratic nominee for New York's 13th congressional district. A day earlier, NYC-DSA held a news conference at John F Kennedy International Airport calling for an immediate halt to military and explosive cargo shipments through the airport and greater transparency over previous military aid shipments to Israel.

Background and Political Tensions

The protests unfolded as Netanyahu defended his government's conduct from the UNGA podium. During his Thursday afternoon speech, he rejected accusations that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, calling the allegation the "greatest lie of the century" and asserting that Israel had taken steps to protect Palestinian civilians.

Netanyahu also attacked New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, calling him "anti-Semitic" and claiming that since Mamdani's election, "many Jews no longer feel safe in New York." Mamdani responded by accusing Netanyahu of repeating "baseless lies meant to sanitise his genocide of Palestinians," adding that the prime minister remained the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. The mayor had pledged during his campaign to have Netanyahu arrested if he came to New York, though he has since acknowledged lacking the authority to carry out such an arrest.

Protesters and Official Statements

JVP organiser Jess Frankel Carrel, describing herself as a Jewish New Yorker, said she wanted US funding directed toward communities at home rather than Israel's war on Gaza. "We don't want our tax dollars spent bombing children. We want them to fund schools here," she said, adding that protesters would continue fighting "until the genocide is over."

Palestinian Youth Movement organiser Taher Dahleh said the city "will never be a safe haven for fugitives of international law or war criminals." Avila Chevalier said in a statement that Netanyahu "belongs at The Hague; not in the streets of New York City, and certainly not addressing the United Nations General Assembly."

What Lies Ahead

All 103 people arrested for disorderly conduct have been released, according to the NYPD. Protesters indicated their demonstrations would continue, with organisers calling on the UN and US government to end what they described as complicity in Israel's military campaign. Further confirmation on any additional official actions or upcoming demonstrations was not immediately available.