Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed in the United States on Sunday night, marking his first visit since the onset of protests against his proposed judicial “reforms.”
His arrival, however, is met with resistance. Protesters are gearing up to voice their opposition at every juncture of his US trip, planning demonstrations in major cities like San Francisco and New York, and during significant events such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
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Upcoming Protests Against Netanyahu’s US Visit:
- Monday, September 18: In San Francisco, activists have labeled their event as the “Day of Disruption” protest.
- Tuesday, September 19: New York will witness a double dose of demonstrations with events at Times Square and the Metropolitan Museum.
- Wednesday, September 20: Protests are set to coincide with Netanyahu’s anticipated meeting with President Biden in New York.
- Thursday, September 21: Activists are preparing to demonstrate near the prominent Regency Hotel in New York.
- Friday, September 22: The pinnacle of the protest series, labeled the “mother of all protests,” will occur in New York during Netanyahu’s speech at the UNGA. This event is expected to draw international attention, with activists from across the globe joining in.
Key Highlights of Netanyahu’s Visit:
Arrival from California: Netanyahu touched down in New York early on Tuesday, greeted by Israeli Ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog, and Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan.
Early Morning Protest: Before sunrise, expat activists and members of the Jewish community in New York assembled for their inaugural protest right outside Netanyahu’s Manhattan Upper East Side hotel.
Extended Protests: Various protests are mapped out across New York till Saturday. This includes key moments like Netanyahu’s meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and his address on Friday after he met with X owner Elon Musk in California on Monday.
In addition to the protests teasing “surprises throughout the city,” Netanyahu is also scheduled to meet with world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Collaboration with Israel: The New York expat protesters are closely aligned with their counterparts in Israel. Their mission is to echo the massive demonstrations that have been ongoing in Israel ever since the introduction of the controversial judicial reform earlier in the year.
Organizers & Funding: The main protest initiatives are spearheaded by the expat activist consortium, UnXeptable. Known for organizing events across the US and globally, they’ve successfully amassed over $30,000 through a grassroots fundraiser for this week’s activities.
Alliance with Israel-Based Groups: Over the past two days, representatives from major Israel-centric protest factions have been present in New York, adding momentum to the anti-Netanyahu sentiment. Further, groups like the Israeli Anti-Occupation Bloc and the US-based T’ruah are prepping for demonstrations near the UN and Netanyahu’s accommodation.
Notable Attendees: Accompanying Netanyahu are influential figures including Economy Minister Nir Barkat, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, and Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman.
Given this tumultuous backdrop, Netanyahu’s maiden visit to the US following the ascent of his far-right Government promises to be eventful.
