Over 100 Arrested in New York Protests Against Netanyahu

Demonstrations erupted in New York City while Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the United Nations General Assembly. Police detained more than one hundred individuals as crowds demanded accountability for actions in Gaza. Protesters also called for an immediate end to American military aid supporting the ongoing conflict in the region.

Jewish Voice for Peace reported that over four hundred participants joined a sit-in near the UN on Thursday. The group blocked First Avenue ahead of the scheduled speech. This action included politicians celebrities and organizers who gathered to express their dissent against the visiting leader and his policies.

Officers ordered the crowd to clear the roadway before proceeding with arrests for disorderly conduct. The police department confirmed that one hundred and three people were taken into custody. All detainees were later released. Organizers noted that nine of those arrested were current or former elected officials running for office.

Activists previously held a press event at JFK airport to demand transparency regarding military shipments. They called for an immediate halt to cargo containing explosives destined for Israel. The group sought to highlight the city’s logistical role in facilitating US military support for operations abroad.

Thousands marched toward the UN headquarters in a separate rally organized by youth movements. Speakers declared that New York would not serve as a safe haven for those accused of violating international law. They emphasized that the prime minister’s brief visit reflected his awareness of local opposition.

Netanyahu denied genocide allegations during his speech labeling them as false narratives. He criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani for allegedly making Jews feel unsafe. The mayor rebutted these claims as baseless attempts to sanitize violence. He noted that the prime minister remains subject to an active arrest warrant from international courts.