Protesters Rally Outside UN as Netanyahu Addresses General Assembly

Demonstrators assembled across the street from United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday, ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the General Assembly.

Rabbi Margo Hughes-Robinson, executive director of the New York Jewish Agenda, addressed the crowd, saying those gathered — American Jews, Israelis and New Yorkers — wanted to convey that Netanyahu was not welcome.

Nomi Colton-Max, co-chair of the group New Jewish Narrative, said the rally was meant to keep pressing for accountability from the prime minister. She said the focus should be on democracy, and pointed to Israel's election, due in just over a month, as a reason Netanyahu could not continue in office. She also drew attention to his coalition partners.

Josh Drill, a former member of the Israel Defense Forces, told those present that Netanyahu's speech would consist of "a series of lies and manipulations" intended to shift public attention away from allegations against him and toward security. He argued there could be no security without peace, and that continued wars brought only destruction. He predicted the prime minister would speak to a largely empty hall.

Not everyone at the scene opposed the Israeli leader. Sophie Sassoon, a New York resident, held a sign in support of Netanyahu. She said people were free to disagree with him, but that she regarded him as one of the few world leaders, along with US President Donald Trump, willing to confront Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism.

As Netanyahu took the rostrum, the response inside the chamber was mixed, with cheers, boos and a wave of walkouts. Numerous delegates left, and a majority of seats remained empty afterwards.

Israel rejects allegations that it has committed genocide and war crimes, and denies that it is illegally occupying Palestinian territory. All Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law, though the Israeli government maintains they are legal.