NYC Mayor's Radical Allies Arrested for Disruptive Protest as Netanyahu Defends Israel at UN
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Several left-wing officials and activists were detained after blocking traffic near the UN during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani, known for his anti-Israel rhetoric, declined to participate in the demonstration.
Several of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's radical leftist allies were arrested Thursday after deliberately blocking First Avenue near the United Nations headquarters, causing disruption as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the world. The protest, orchestrated by the controversial group Jewish Voice for Peace, included far-left City Councilmember Chi Ossé, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, Democratic Socialist co-chair Gustavo Gordillo, and congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, who brandished inflammatory 'End the Genocide' signs. Police acted swiftly, arresting more than 100 protesters, among them actress Susan Sarandon, comedian Caleb Hearon, and former Army intelligence officer Chelsea Manning—figures notorious for their anti-establishment activism.
Mayor Mamdani, who has previously smeared Netanyahu as a 'war criminal' and is known for his anti-Israel stance, chose not to participate in the disruptive protest but voiced support for so-called 'peaceful demonstrations.' Just before Netanyahu's speech to the UN General Assembly, Mamdani released a video of himself dining with Palestinian families at Gracie Mansion and planting an olive tree, a gesture seen by many as pandering to anti-Israel activists.
During his address, Netanyahu forcefully rejected baseless accusations of genocide and called out Mamdani, referring to him as 'the antisemitic mayor of New York' and accusing him of attempting to silence Israel's voice. Mayor Mamdani responded with a statement dismissing Netanyahu's remarks as 'baseless lies' and cited the International Criminal Court's politically motivated arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister. Pro-Palestinian groups pledged to continue their disruptive protests later in the day, while responsible Jewish organizations held a rally against antisemitism earlier in the week.