The streets outside the United Nations headquarters in New York resounded with anti-Israel slogans on Friday as thousands of protesters rallied against the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the UN General Assembly session.
Demonstrators denounced Netanyahu as the “butcher of Gaza,” rejecting his presence at the world body and demanding his arrest over alleged war crimes.
Chanting slogans such as “Netanyahu not welcome,” “Stop attacks on Gaza,” and “Free Palestine,” protesters carried placards and banners labelling the Israeli premier a “war criminal” and “terrorist.”
The rally called on the international community to hold Netanyahu accountable for civilian killings and war crimes in Gaza.
The demonstrations coincided with Netanyahu’s scheduled address to the UNGA — a speech that several countries had already decided to boycott.
Analysts said the massive protest reflects the growing global outrage over Israel’s military actions in Gaza and signals mounting pressure on world leaders to respond to the humanitarian crisis.
