New York Netanyahu Protests
On Tuesday, activists opposed to the judicial overhaul conducted by the Israeli government held protests outside a New York hotel where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was staying. Netanyahu is in the United States to meet other world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, at the United Nations General Assembly.
Following the early morning protests, the activists are expected to hold a large rally later today in the Time Square. Afterward, they intend to protest outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art when the prime minister visits the place for a cultural event.
Per the protest schedule seen by The Times of Israel, the New York-based activists plan to hold protests every day until Saturday. Similar demonstrations have been witnessed in Israel since the government announced its controversial judicial overhaul at the start of this year.
Protesters in New York partnered with popular activist group UnXeptable to organize the rallies in the city. Over $30,000 has been raised to support this week’s protests.
Protest Groups Plan Demonstrations at the UN
Meanwhile, several leaders of Israel-based protest organizations have announced their plans to fly to the United States to join other protesters. T’ruah human rights group and Anti-Occupation Bloc’s leaders say they will lead demonstrations during the UN meeting.
Netanyahu is visiting the United States for the first time since his coalition rose to power in late 2022. Foreign Minister Elin Cohen, Economy Minister Nir Barkat, and Idit Silman, Environmental Protection Minister, are Accompanying him.
Before arriving in the World’s most powerful country, the Prime Minister’s opponents criticized him for accusing protesters of joining forces with Iran and PLO. Although Netanyahu said he was misquoted, his statement has fueled more demonstrations.
Israeli Activists Hold More Protests in California
While in California to meet Tesla founder Elon Musk, a multitude of Israelis living in the city held demonstrations at the Tesla factory and outside his hotel.
This is not the first time Israelis in the United States have organized protests. They have been doing that every time a prominent government official arrives in the country since January. While the majority disapprove of the judicial overhaul, a study by the Jewish Electorate Institute shows that 39% of the US-based Israelis believe the changes will enhance democracy.
