Protests, calls for sanctions greet Netanyahu at UN amid Gaza horrors

New Yorkers gathered to applaud Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he addressed the UN General Assembly (UNGA), where they all sat among world diplomats.

As dozens of delegates marched out of the UN Assembly hall on Friday morning as protesters marched against the Israeli prime minister as he opened his remarks during the fourth day of the General Debate, protesters gathered on the streets of New York City on Friday morning.

As part of the Hague Group, diplomats from various nations around the world met to discuss imposing sanctions against Israel for its nearly two-year occupation of Gaza.

Netanyahu’s participation in the New York demonstration, which Al-Sharif Nassef led, was criticized for his role in the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for him last year.

“All New Yorkers who are present today back his arrest,” the statement read. He is not a welcome visitor, Nassef claimed.

He will be detained as soon as he enters New York City, according to the new mayor, “And inshallah, God willing].

Zohran Mamadani, the New York Democratic candidate for mayor, promised to carry out the ICC’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu earlier this month. Since the US does not participate in the tribunal, it is unclear whether the New York Police Department has the authority to detain the Israeli prime minister.

Is baby formula a Hamas?

Protesters gathered in Times Square near the UN complex on the East River after Netanyahu’s speech was over.

As the demonstration scurried through the streets under heavy police control, they waved Palestinian flags and chanted “free Palestine” and “arms embargo now.”

Colombia and Ireland, two nations that have publicly supported Palestinians, are also visible in some demonstrators.

The large turnout, according to Nasreen Issa, a member of the Palestine Youth Movement – NYC, sends a message that it is “unacceptable” for the US to open the door for Netanyahu.

According to Issa, demonstrations still produce results even after their effects are felt.

According to the activist, “protests play a significant role in generating the political will that can lead to real change.”

Is baby formula Hamas? asked Meagan Fredette holding a cardboard sign. a UN-backed monitor wants to draw attention to the Israeli restrictions on basic food items in Gaza, which have caused the region to become a deadly famine.

As a New Yorker, Fredette described how she finds Netanyahu’s presence in her city as “disgusted.”

“I’m angry,” I feel. He’s here because it’s embarrassing. She told Al Jazeera, “He doesn’t deserve to be here.” He is a wanted criminal in real life. The arrival of him was unpopular with New Yorkers.

About a dozen counterprotesters wave Israeli flags as the demonstrators made their way outside the UN security perimeter.

However, law enforcement kept the two groups of protesters a secret and confined the small, pro-Israel rally there.

The police quickly intervened and ordered a man who carried an Israeli flag to leave the demonstration. He began yelling obscenities at the protesters.

Using Palestinian phones to broadcast Netanyahu’s speech

Before the walkout, Netanyahu addressed a room in the UN General Assembly, which had partially emptied, and he only received applause from one area of the room’s upper floor.

When asked if Netanyahu’s supporters were Israeli mission guests, Stephane Dujarric, the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, only said, “Every delegation is allowed to bring in guests.”

Netanyahu’s office claimed on X that the prime minister had authorized the hacking of Palestinian phones so that they could stream his speeches.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli military had taken control of the phones of Hamas and residents of Gaza, and that his speech is now being broadcast live on the phone, according to the post.

The Israeli military broadcast the address on a loudspeaker to the territory’s starving and suffering population, according to his office’s post on social media.

Dujarric declined to respond when asked for a response to a UN function being used to make fun of a whole population.

The spokesperson stated, “I don’t have any specific comments on that.”

According to Dujarric, “I believe the focus should be on bringing more humanitarian aid in, reducing the suffering of the Palestinian people, and removing the hostages”

In Gaza, Israel has killed more than 65,500 people, including about 20 000 children, and destroyed nearly the entire area.

In response to growing international outcry against Israel’s actions, the UNGA convenes this year. During the assembly, several Western nations that have traditionally allied itself with Israel recognized the state of Palestine.

group in Hague meeting

Beyond just statements and symbolicism, diplomats from 24 nations urged action to stop the atrocities on Friday as part of the Hague Group, which aims to end the Gaza war.

The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, pleaded for concrete measures against Israel, including sanctions.

At a meeting of the Hague Group, Mansour said, “We are out of time because children are killed if we don’t act.”

Palestinian children are murdered, starved, orphaned, burned, and traumatized; families are shattered, life is destroyed, lands are stolen, and territories are annexed.

Mansour also demanded that the International Court of Justice grant South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.

Representatives from Colombia, South Africa, Qatar, Turkiye, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Ireland, Spain, and Uruguay attended the meeting.

Mauro Vieira, Israel’s foreign minister, warned against stopping atrocities committed by Israel.

According to international law, states are required to refrain from genocide as well as to stop it. Failure to do so could lead to state responsibility, including for genocide complicity, he claimed.

Source: Aljazeera