Netanyahu's UN Visit Met With NYC Campaign, Protests

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered his U.N. General Assembly speech in New York, Israel ran a public-diplomacy campaign of billboards and mobile trucks in and around the U.N. and Times Square bearing the slogan “Remember October 7” with QR codes linking to documentation of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and roughly 48 hostages still held. Netanyahu wore a QR-code lapel during his speech directing audiences to graphic material from the Oct. 7 massacre, underscoring the visit’s focus on Hamas atrocities. About 2,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Times Square and marched to the U.N., forcing street closures and calling for an arms embargo and an end to U.S. aid to Israel; earlier demonstrations near Netanyahu’s hotel resulted in about 14 arrests or summonses. The demonstrations drew local political responses, with mayoral contender Zohran Mamdani condemning the visit while Mayor Eric Adams said he was proud to meet the prime minister. Protesters’ actions reflect ongoing U.S. domestic mobilization over the Gaza siege amid reports of heavy Palestinian casualties.