Demonstrators call for war crimes charges and arms embargo against Israel.
On Friday, thousands of demonstrators marched through New York City to protest the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly, reports 24brussels.
The protest commenced in Times Square, with demonstrators attempting to approach the United Nations headquarters, which was barricaded by numerous law enforcement officers. Attendees waved Palestinian flags and displayed signs depicting Netanyahu alongside pro-Palestinian slogans, with calls for his prosecution at the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes against children.
Chants highlighted the severe conditions in Gaza, demanding an arms embargo on Israel, and emphasized that over 210 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces since October 7, 2023. Speakers at the march condemned the violence, with one organizer, Nidaa Lafi from the Palestinian Youth Movement, asserting that, “Netanyahu is speaking at the United Nations while he massacres dozens of Palestinians in Gaza every day. It is a disgrace for this city that he is here.”
Lafi further stated that recognition of a Palestinian state by countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada is insufficient without economic sanctions and a commercial blockade against Israel. Meanwhile, Joe Brown from the Party for Socialism and Liberation criticized U.S. involvement in the conflict, remarking that the devastation in Gaza has been facilitated by U.S. administrations, from Trump to Biden.
Organizations such as the Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voices for Peace, and the Palestinian Feminist Collective played pivotal roles in organizing the march, reaffirming their commitment to advocate for Palestinian rights and demand accountability for alleged war crimes.
