Protests expected as Netanyahu addresses UN General Assembly
NEW YORK CITY -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday as protests are expected around U.N. headquarters and tensions continue to rise over the war in Gaza, antisemitism and an ongoing war of words with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Netanyahu was en route to New York City on Thursday and expected to land at a military base before traveling to the East Side near the United Nations. Demonstrators gathered Wednesday in the park across from U.N. headquarters ahead of his arrival, with activists expected to return as the prime minister prepares to speak before world leaders.
The speech comes amid heightened scrutiny of Netanyahu and his government's handling of the war in Gaza. Protesters and supporters of Israel have continued to clash over the conflict, while criticism of the Israeli leader has become a focal point during the United Nations gathering.
UN General Assembly 2026: Live updates
Netanyahu is also expected to use his address to respond to Mamdani, who has said he believes the Israeli prime minister should be arrested as a war criminal. Earlier this week, Mamdani acknowledged New York City does not have the authority to make such an arrest but stood by his position.
Demonstrators gathered Wednesday expressed strong views on the dispute between Mamdani and Netanyahu.
"The one inciting violence is the one claiming there will be no Palestinian state," said Kylian Amato, a pro-Palestinian protester.
A rabbi supporting Netanyahu criticized the mayor's comments.
"The mayor can't expect to use words like genocide and apartheid and war crimes and point to the prime minister of a democratically elected country, and say this man needs to be arrested. You can't say those things and expect they're not going to have consequences in real life."
Netanyahu is scheduled to address the General Assembly at 2 p.m. Thursday and is expected to meet with other world leaders during his visit to New York. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was also scheduled to address the United Nations virtually Thursday morning.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
