100s of people arrested as New Yorkers protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s UN visit.

New Yorkers protesting as Israeli Prime Minister visited the city to attend and deliver the speech at UN General Assembly in New York.

News Source: https://www.theguardian.com/international

More than 100 people were arrested during several protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York for his speech to the UN General Assembly. The protesters called for an end to US military assistance and accountability for Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. Earlier on Thursday, JVP and NYC-Democratic Socialists of America organized a rally near the UN that attracted over 400 people; including politicians, celebrities, and activists. Protesters want to highlight New York's part in the United States' backing of Israel. At a news conference at John F. Kennedy International Airport the day before, NYC-DSA demanded more transparency over past military aid shipments to Israel as well as an immediate stop to military and explosive cargo shipments via the airport.

Hundreds of Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian, and Lebanese New Yorkers attended the protest outside the UN, one of several this weeks against the troubled Israeli prime minister, along with a number of elected officials, November election contenders, and celebrities. At least a hundred protesters opposed Netanyahu's visit were taken into custody. Actresses Susan Sarandon, who won an Oscar, and Hannah Einbinder, who won an Emmy, was among them.

And protest was not only on street when Netanyahu took the podium, dozens of delegates walked out. Responding to that walk out Israeli Prime Minister said “If there are any other moral cowards who haven't yet left this hall, please do so now.” According to UN official’s total 77 empty seats were there due to boycott of the speech but Out of the 193 UN Member States and two observer delegations, delegates from about 116 nations and observer missions were still present in the hall. Countries including US, UK, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, and India were present during the speech.

In response to the US and Israel's February attack on Iran, he stated while claiming if he had not started the war around nuclear weapons in Iran, everyone would have been dead  “Devastating Iran’s nuclear facilities was hard, was very hard to do. But for me, it was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make as prime minister.”

In his speech at UN on Thursday, he claimed, Israel is engaged in a "seven-front war," involving the occupied West Bank, Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, the Houthis in Yemen, and militias in Iraq.

FAQs:

Q: Why several people were protesting in New York?

A: More than 100 people were arrested during several protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York for his speech to the UN General Assembly.

Q: Why did a mass walkout occur during speech of Israeli Prime Minister at UN?

A: In a coordinated protest against Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza and the larger Middle East, as well as allegations of humanitarian crises and civilian casualties, delegates from 77 nations left.

Q: Which prominent countries stayed in the hall?

A: delegates from about 116 nations and observer missions were still present in the hall. Countries including US, UK, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, and India were present during the speech.

Q: What was India’s official position for staying during the speech?

A: In accordance with its consistent foreign policy, that aims to retain strong strategic connections with Israel. While sustaining humanitarian support and promoting a two-state framework with Palestine, India maintained a neutral and balanced presence.

Q: What were the main topics covered in the speech at UN?

A: Netanyahu strongly opposed unilateral international efforts toward Palestinian statehood, condemned claims of genocide in Gaza as false, and backed Israel's multi-front military operations against regional rivals.