Protests, calls for sanctions greet Netanyahu at UN amid Gaza horrors | United Nations News

New York Metropolis – Hundreds of New Yorkers joined world diplomats in giving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the chilly shoulder as he spoke on the United Nations Common Meeting (UNGA).

Protesters on Friday morning rallied in opposition to the Israeli prime minister on the streets of New York Metropolis as dozens of delegates marched out of the UN Meeting corridor when he started his speech on the fourth day of the Common Debate.

And blocks away, diplomats representing nations the world over had been assembly as a part of the Hague Group to debate taking concrete measures in opposition to Israel, together with sanctions, for its almost two-year assault on Gaza.

Al-Sharif Nassef, who was taking part within the New York protest, mentioned it was a “disgrace” that Netanyahu was within the metropolis as an alternative of The Hague to reply to his alleged battle crimes on the Worldwide Legal Courtroom (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for him final yr.

“All of the New Yorkers who’re right here immediately help his arrest. He’s not welcome right here,” Nassef advised Al Jazeera.

“And Inshallah [God willing], beneath the brand new mayorship, he will likely be arrested as quickly as he steps ahead in New York Metropolis.”

Earlier this month, New York Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamadani promised to implement the ICC’s arrest warrant in opposition to Netanyahu. However the US just isn’t a celebration to the tribunal, so it’s not clear whether or not the New York Police Division has the authorized energy to detain the Israeli prime minister.

‘Is child components Hamas?’

After Netanyahu completed his speech, protesters marched from Occasions Sq. to a park close to the UN complex on the East River.

They waved Palestinian flags and chanted “free Palestine” and “arms embargo now” because the demonstration snaked via the streets amid heavy police presence.

Some demonstrators additionally displayed the flags of Colombia and Eire – two nations which have been vocal of their help for Palestinians.

Nasreen Issa, a member of the Palestine Youth Motion – NYC, which helped organise the march, mentioned the massive turnout sends a message that it’s “unacceptable” for the US to roll out the purple carpet for Netanyahu.

Issa mentioned that demonstrations work even when their results are usually not instantly felt.

“Protests play an necessary position in producing the political will that may make actual change occur,” the activist advised Al Jazeera.

Meagan Fredette held a cardboard signal that mentioned, “Is child components Hamas???” to spotlight the Israeli restrictions on fundamental meals objects in Gaza, which have plunged the territory into deadly famine, in line with a UN-backed monitor.

Fredette mentioned she feels “disgusted” as a New Yorker that Netanyahu is in her metropolis.

“I really feel offended. It’s embarrassing that he’s right here. He doesn’t should be right here,” she advised Al Jazeera. “He’s a literal, needed legal. New Yorkers weren’t pleased that he’s right here.”

Because the demonstrators arrived exterior the safety perimeter on the UN, they encountered a couple of dozen counterprotesters waving Israeli flags.

However regulation enforcement officers separated the 2 units of protesters and confined the small pro-Israel rally to a barricaded space.

When a person with an Israeli flag began shouting obscenities on the anti-Netanyahu demonstrators, the police rapidly intervened and ordered him to maneuver away from the protest.

Broadcasting Netanyahu’s speech via Palestinian telephones

Contained in the UN Common Meeting corridor earlier, Netanyahu addressed a room that was partly emptied by the walkout, and he obtained applause that got here solely from one space on the higher degree of the room.

Requested whether or not the individuals clapping for Netanyahu had been visitors of the Israeli mission, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres, solely mentioned, “Each delegation is allowed to herald visitors.”

Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned on X that the prime minister had ordered the hacking of the telephones of Palestinians in Gaza to stream his speech on the units.

“In an unprecedented motion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu … has introduced that the [Israeli military] took management of the telephones of Gaza residents and Hamas members, and that his speech is now being broadcast stay through the telephones,” the publish mentioned.

His workplace additionally posted on social media that the Israeli navy broadcast the deal with on a loudspeaker to the ravenous and beleaguered inhabitants of the territory.

Al Jazeera requested Dujarric for a response to a UN operate getting used as a instrument to taunt a complete inhabitants, however he declined to reply.

“I’ve no particular touch upon that,” the spokesperson mentioned.

“I believe the main target ought to be on assuaging the struggling of the Palestinian individuals, getting extra humanitarian help in, and getting the hostages out,” Dujarric added.

Israel has killed greater than 65,500 individuals in Gaza, together with roughly 20,000 children, and turned almost the whole territory into rubble.

The UNGA is assembly this yr amid rising worldwide anger at Israel’s conduct. A number of Western nations which can be historically allied with Israel recognised the state of Palestine through the meeting.

Hague group assembly

On Friday, diplomats from 24 nations – a part of the Hague Group, which goals to halt the battle on Gaza – referred to as for motion to cease the atrocities past statements and symbolism.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, urged tangible strikes in opposition to Israel, together with sanctions.

“We’re out of time as a result of if we fail to behave, kids are killed,” Mansour advised a Hague Group assembly.

“Palestinian kids are killed, starved, orphaned, burned and traumatised, households are shattered, life is destroyed, lands are stolen and territories are annexed.”

Mansour additionally referred to as for worldwide help for South Africa’s genocide case in opposition to Israel on the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice.

The assembly included representatives from Colombia, South Africa, Qatar, Turkiye, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Eire, Spain and Uruguay.

Israel’s International Minister Mauro Vieira warned in opposition to failing to cease Israeli atrocities.

“Worldwide regulation requires states not solely to chorus from committing genocide, but additionally to forestall it. Failure to take action could give rise to state accountability, together with for complicity in genocide,” he mentioned.

“Time has come for States to fulfil their obligations beneath the Genocide Conference by adopting efficient measures to make sure that they don’t, immediately or not directly, collaborate with its perpetrators.”