*’Tehran Regime Will Collapse’
It was a day of high drama yesterday in New York City (NYC) at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) when hundreds of protesters, including prominent actors and local politicians, swarmed the UN headquarters venue of the gathering to call for Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrest — and many found themselves in cuffs instead.
The protest began around noon and was organized by Jewish Voices For Peace and the opposition Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to block traffic near the UN to call out Netanyahu’s war in Gaza and the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Recall that President Donald Trump’s administration had responded to a move by NYC Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, recently, in which he rummaged the City’s legal labyrinths seeking relevant statutes to justify arrest of Netanyahu when the latter arrives the City for UNGA. But Trump countered the move by saying nobody will arrest the PM in the US.
Netanyahu has been accused of conducting crimes against humanity in Gaza following Hamas’ 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks which killed scores of innocent Israelis, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing a warrant for his arrest –a charge he has repeatedly denied.
How The Protests Held, Police Reaction
An estimated 104 demonstrators were busted as New York Police Department (NYPD) cops worked to clear First Avenue ahead of Netanyahu’s speech to the UNGA, law enforcement sources and organizers told New York Post.
Among those taken into custody, the paper listed, was DSA member and Mayor Zohran Mamdani-backed House of Representatives hopeful Darializa Avila-Chevalier, who smiled and chanted, “Free Palestine” as she was loaded onto an NYPD bus.
“As the Democratic Nominee for New York’s 13th Congressional District, I refuse to allow a war criminal to roam the streets of our city unchallenged,” Avila-Chevalier’s campaign said in a statement later.
Several other Mamdani allies were also busted, including City Council members Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez and Chi Ossé, all Brooklyn progressives.
New York state Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, a Democratic Socialist, was arrested as well.
Oscar winner Susan Sarandon and fellow anti-Israel actors Cynthia Nixon, Elliot Page, and Hannah Einbinder, of HBO’s ‘Hacks’, were also among those spotted at the protest ahead of Netanyahu’s speech.
Both Sarandon and Einbinder were arrested, along with activist whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
Mamdani, who has condemned Netanyahu, was not in attendance.
The US, however, does not recognize the ICC’s authority, with Netanyahu joining world leaders to speak before the UNGA.
Among those in the crowd who were chanting “Stop arming Israel!” and “Let Iran live” were leftist City Council members Tiffany Caban, Sandy Nurse, Shahana Hanif and Ossé.
More Drama As Netanyahu Addresses UNGA
Taking his turn to address the General Assembly, the Israeli leader touched on burning issues pertaining to his country in Middle East and global affairs.
Ahead of delivering a high-stakes speech, Netanyahu was given an icy welcome by UNGA delegates, with a near-mass walkout before he even began speaking.
Nonetheless, giving his speech, Netanyahu tore into Mamdani accusing the socialist leader of having made the city unsafe for Jews and falsely accusing his nation of “genocide.”
In the address, Netanyahu said that his country had supplied two million tons of food into the Gaza Strip during the Israeli Defense Force (IDF)’s war with Hamas terrorists there.
“That’s a ton for every person. Accusing Israel of genocide is the greatest lie of the century,” Netanyahu erupted.
Netanyahu was met with chants of “Am Yisrael Chai” from supporters in the balcony — and walkouts on the floor of the UNGA rom Iran and other nations.
Representatives for Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian Authority (PA), and some others cleared out as Netanyahu began his speech.
US Ambassador Jeff Bartos stood and applauded with other members of the American delegation seated in the chamber, along with those from the Israeli delegation, as Netanyahu spoke.
“If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t yet left this hall, please do so now,” Netanyahu scolded during the walkouts.
Order was restored, and chants died down in the balcony.
Iran Delegation Leaves Picture Of Slain Soleimani On Empty Seats
Representatives for the Islamic Republic of Iran left up a picture of deceased Iran Republican Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Qassem Soleimani during the Israeli leader’s speech.
The Iranian reps exited the chamber during the entirety of Netanyahu’s address.
Iranian Regime Will Collapse –Netanyahu Predicts
In his speech, Netanyahu predicted that Iranian dissidents will overthrow the leaders of the Islamic Republic in “a matter of time.”
“It’s only a matter of time that, in Iran, something incredible will happen: The power of the people will overcome the people in power,” Netanyahu said.
“I want you to listen to my words carefully: one day, and it may not be far away, the Iranian people will be free. Their murderous regime will be toppled by its lies, by its corruption, by its cruelty,” he added.
“This evil regime will fall, and we will all celebrate that day.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: Two of the protesting celebrities arrested by New York Police at the UNGA… yesterday.
