Hundreds of demonstrators filled the streets around the United Nations headquarters in New York as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
The demonstration, organized with the participation of Jewish Voice for Peace Action, brought together Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese New Yorkers, activists, public figures and politicians.
Participants held a sit-in on First Avenue near the UN complex, blocking traffic for more than an hour. Some official vehicles heading to the UN building were forced to change their routes.
Demonstrators carried signs reading “Fund people, not bombs,” “End the genocide” and “Free Palestine,” while also demanding an end to the war in Gaza and U.S. military support for Israel.
Footage from the scene showed a large crowd occupying the roadway near the UN headquarters, where the New York Police Department had increased security measures.
The demonstration took place as Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly, where the Israeli prime minister defended Israel’s military actions and rejected accusations against his government.
Police detained dozens of participants
New York police detained dozens of demonstrators who remained in the roadway after being ordered to disperse.
Those detained included actresses Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder, Chelsea Manning, comedian Caleb Hearon, as well as several New York politicians and candidates.
Despite the police action, the protest near the UN headquarters continued while Netanyahu was speaking.
The demonstration was one of several organized in New York in connection with the Israeli prime minister’s visit.
The large gathering near the UN highlighted the scale of protests against Netanyahu in New York amid ongoing international disputes over Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
