Mass protests scheduled across NYC ahead of Netanyahu’s UNGA address

• Demonstrators will gather at Bryant Park at 4:00 PM before marching across Midtown Manhattan to the gates of the United Nations to reject Netanyahu's speech and demand an immediate end to the conflict.
• The Palestinian Youth Movement and allied groups will gather at Bryant Park before marching across Manhattan to protest Netanyahu’s address at the UN gates.

Protests are scheduled across New York City to coincide with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrival for the United Nations General Assembly, as activist coalitions, faith leaders, and local organizations unite to reject his presence on the global stage.

The coalition, led by the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) alongside CODEPINK, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), The People's Forum, and Pal-Awda, will assemble on Thursday, September 24, at 4:00 PM at Bryant Park (476 Fifth Ave). From there, thousands of demonstrators plan to march across Midtown Manhattan directly to the UN headquarters.

Organizers expressed that Netanyahu’s address is an attempt to normalize military operations in Gaza and the wider region.

"Genocidal war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu is coming to New York City to address the UN Headquarters for the General Assembly," the Palestinian Youth Movement stated in an official announcement.

"As he enters the UN to whitewash his crimes and manufacture consent for the ongoing genocide of our people, we will take to the streets to expose him and reject Zionism."

Taher Dahleh, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, noted that Netanyahu’s appearance at the international forum represents an effort to "insult and demean the international system and the rest of the states of the world," while demonstrating that 'Israel' can leverage international forums while remaining welcomed by the US government.

High-Profile Actions and Faith-Led Memorials

Ahead of Thursday's scheduled march, grassroots groups launched visual and public campaigns across the city.

Over the weekend, digital projections displaying Netanyahu’s photo alongside bold text reading "WANTED: Benjamin Netanyahu - Bibi the Butcher Out of NYC" were projected onto the Brooklyn Bridge and municipal buildings.

Simultaneously, anti-war group CODEPINK announced that its contingents would participate actively throughout New York Climate Week.

Through their "War Is Not Green" campaign, activists are inviting climate advocates to join the anti-war movement.

Additionally, just days before Netanyahu's scheduled arrival, over 1,000 Jewish community members gathered for their third annual Rabbis for Ceasefire public Yizkor service.

Observing Yom Kippurthe holiest day of the Jewish calendar, attendees held a solemn memorial prayer service to mourn lives lost in Palestine, perform traditional Kriah mourning rituals, and call for collective action against US military funding.

Participating Jewish leaders emphasized their refusal to accept war crimes or welcome wanted leaders into New York City, declaring: "We refuse to pretend there is a ceasefire in Gaza. We refuse to speak of Israel’s genocide in the past tense. We refuse to be complicit in ethnic cleansing, in the use of our taxes to bomb entire families."

Escalating Tensions

Netanyahu’s visit comes amid intense political friction, following outstanding International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant applications for war crimes and crimes against humanity. While the 'Israeli' Prime Minister was originally scheduled to stay in the United States for several days of diplomatic meetings, official sources confirm he has significantly cut his trip short.

Netanyahu is expected to land in the New York area on Thursday, deliver his speech at the UN General Assembly in the afternoon, and depart that same evening to minimize logistics and avoid prolonged public demonstrations.

Protesters and organizers maintain that mass turnouts during these UN addresses serve as a crucial global rejection of war crimes and ongoing displacement.