At the start of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations General Assembly, dozens of delegates walked out of the hall. The protest followed a day of arrests and public criticism of Netanyahu's policies in Gaza. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had previously blocked traffic in New York, was accused by Netanyahu of endangering Jewish residents with false claims about Israel's actions.
New York authorities arrested several individuals, including Hollywood figures, during a protest against Netanyahu. The mayor had stated he would not attend demonstrations against the Israeli leader. Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul defended Mamdani, calling out Netanyahu for spreading misinformation about the mayor's alleged support for Hamas.
Netanyahu's speech was met with visible disapproval, with some delegates leaving the chamber and others reportedly cheering in support of the Israeli leader. The situation highlighted growing tensions between New York officials and the Israeli government over the conflict in Gaza.
The walkout and arrests underscore the polarized views surrounding Israel's actions, with critics accusing the government of misleading the public and supporters defending its policies.
