As Netanyahu takes UN stage, New Yorkers protest antisemitism — and his government

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NEW YORK (RNS) — Two groups of protesters faced each other near the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan’s midtown on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 23). On one side, hundreds held blue signs reading “End Global antisemitism now,” some draped in large Israeli flags. On the other side, a small group of Hasidic men holding signs critiquing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the state of Israel repeated, “We oppose the state of Israel because we are Jews.”

The two opposing demonstrations were among several organized by Jewish organizations across the city this week as world leaders convene for the U.N. General Assembly’s 81st session. Amid rising antisemitism — half of the city’s hate crimes targeted Jews this yea r — and growing outrage about Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza, some Jewish organizations are using the U.N.’s high-level week to voice concerns about anti-Jewish incidents and the actions of the Israeli government.

“World leaders are gathered in our city … to discuss global challenges, but we know they are not addressing the rampant proliferation of antisemitism across…