According to a report by Al-Jazeera on Thursday, September 24, 2026, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), a US-based Jewish organisation critical of Israel’s government, has condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, accusing the global body of hosting a “war criminal” as protests intensified in New York.
The group staged a demonstration outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan on Thursday, September 24, as Netanyahu prepared to address the 81st session of the General Assembly.
Sonya Meyerson-Knox, Communications Director of Jewish Voice for Peace, said the protest was part of a broader mobilisation involving Jewish and Palestinian communities as well as other activists opposed to US military support for Israel.
“All across New York, Jews, Palestinians and people of conscience are rising up to demand an end to US support for the live-streamed horrors, rigged ceasefires and forever wars,” Meyerson-Knox told Al Jazeera.
She added that, in the view of the organisation, support for Palestinian rights had grown in the United States and called for an end to US arms transfers to Israel.
The JVP demonstration was among several protests organised around Netanyahu’s visit to New York.
According to CBS New York, protesters staged a sit-in near First Avenue and 39th Street, close to the UN headquarters, with participants chanting against the war in Gaza. Police moved to clear the demonstration, with a number of protesters taken into custody.
City & State New York reported that roughly 250 people participated in the street protest organised by Jewish Voice for Peace, including elected officials and political candidates. Police subsequently arrested about 80 protesters who remained in the roadway.
The Guardian also reported that hundreds of people participated in demonstrations outside the UN, with Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese New Yorkers among those taking part. Protesters carried signs and chanted slogans calling for an end to the violence in Gaza.
The demonstrations were not limited to groups opposed to Netanyahu. Pro-Israel and Jewish organisations also held rallies in New York during the General Assembly, highlighting concerns about antisemitism and expressing support for Israel.
The competing demonstrations have highlighted divisions within New York’s Jewish community over Netanyahu’s government and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Religion News Service reported that opposing Jewish demonstrations took place near the UN on Wednesday. One large rally focused on combating antisemitism, while a smaller group of Jewish protesters criticised Netanyahu and the Israeli government.
The Times of Israel reported that pro- and anti-Netanyahu Jewish protesters gathered separately outside the UN on Thursday. Supporters of the Israeli prime minister chanted in his support, while opponents displayed signs criticising Israeli government policies and calling for an end to settler violence.
Another Jewish organisation, T’ruah, also announced a demonstration involving American Jews and Israeli Americans. The group said it wanted to demand an end to the Gaza war and accountability for alleged war crimes.
Netanyahu’s UN appearance comes amid intense international criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and continued diplomatic disputes over the conflict.
Ahead of his speech, Netanyahu said he intended to use the UN platform to defend Israel and its military personnel against what he described as false accusations. CBS reported that the Israeli prime minister was also expected to address Iran’s nuclear programme and the wider regional security situation.
His visit has also revived debate over the International Criminal Court. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict. Netanyahu and the Israeli government have rejected the allegations and criticised the court’s proceedings.
COURTESY: AZNews365
