Palestinian supporters protest against Netanyahu's UN speech, hundreds detained

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators said that it was "not fair" for Netanyahu, who continues his aggressive policy against Gaza and the occupied West Bank as well as the countries in the region, to give a speech at the UN.

The demonstrators, who were not allowed near the UN Headquarters citing security reasons, gathered at the intersection of 1st Avenue and 39th Street in Manhattan.

The crowd, which included hundreds of activists, chanted slogans in unison: "No to war, no to armament, freedom for Palestine" and "Netanyahu, you cannot hide, we will try you for genocide."

Jay Saper, a member of the non-governmental organization "Jewish Voice for Peace", said in his statement: "Currently, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the architect of the genocide in Gaza, is giving a speech, more than 400 people are accompanying the vehicle convoys heading towards the UN. We are here because we express our objection. We oppose his actions, the genocide he is carrying out in Gaza, and the bombing of houses and hospitals."

While criticizing the US government's sending of weapons to Israel, Saper said, "The way to achieve justice is to try to end the US's complicity in this ongoing genocide."

New York City Council Member Diana Moreno, who supported the protest, said, "There is a very clear message here, Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal."

Stating that US citizens cannot allow "the financing of the ethnic cleansing project and the bombing of Iran and Lebanon" with their taxes, Moreno said, "I have a two-year-old child and I believe that his life is of equal value to the life of a child anywhere in the world."

MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING FAMOUS NAMES, WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

The demonstrators, who blocked the road 4-5 blocks away from the UN Headquarters, were detained by a large police force dispatched to the area.

While the demonstrators, whose hands were handcuffed behind their backs, shouted slogans supporting Gaza, it was seen that the detained people were loaded into 2 police buses.

In the US media, it was stated that 79-year-old Oscar-winning Hollywood artist Susan Sarandon, New York City Council member Chi Osse, NY-13 Congress candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, comedian Caleb Hearon, as well as American actresses Hannah Einbinder and Cynthia Nixon and former soldier Chelsea Manning were detained by the police.

On the other hand, a group called "Standing Together" also protested in front of the Israeli Consulate General near Manhattan 2nd Avenue and 42nd Street.

Activists carried signs saying "Murderer Netanyahu" and "Allow aid to Gaza."