Netanyahu's UN Speech Draws Protests in New York City

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside United Nations headquarters in New York City on Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to deliver a speech to the General Assembly, blocking traffic on nearby streets, according to a report from the Guardian.

Dozens of people were arrested during the demonstration as of early afternoon, the report said. The protest was one of several held against Netanyahu in New York this week, drawing a diverse crowd that included Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese New Yorkers, among other participants.

A broad coalition of demonstrators

The protest also attracted several elected officials and candidates running in the upcoming November election, as well as a number of celebrities, reflecting the high-profile nature of Netanyahu's visit and the intensity of feeling surrounding Israel's actions in Gaza. Demonstrators carried messages calling for an end to the conflict, with the phrase "Let Gaza live" featured among the protest's slogans.

Such demonstrations have become a recurring feature of Netanyahu's appearances at high-profile international events in recent years, reflecting sustained public opposition in parts of the United States to Israeli policy toward Gaza and the broader Palestinian territories.

The available reporting did not specify the exact number of arrests, the charges involved, or further details on the content of Netanyahu's remarks to the General Assembly.