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Thousands protest Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s arrival at the UN, including HSMSE students

A member of Jewish Voice for Peace in the crowd
A member of Jewish Voice for Peace in the crowd
Ella-Devi Weerackody

On Thursday, September 26th, following the close of sixth period, a group of HSMSE students marched with thousands of pro-Palestine activists toward the United Nations Headquarters. They demonstrated against the arrival of Benjamin Netanyahu, the current prime minister of the state of Israel, who was invited to address the General Assembly. Supporters of Palestine have criticized Netanyahu’s recent actions in Gaza and the West Bank, which have been ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice. Many Israeli citizens are also upset with Netanyahu: In early September, hundreds of thousands of them gathered in the streets of Tel Aviv to demand that his government approve a ceasefire deal for the return of hostages.

 

Before heading to the UN, demonstrators gathered at the New York Public Library headquarters and several speakers discussed the recent state of events in the Middle East, condemning Israel and its “war criminal” leader. HSMSE students had the opportunity to meet with one of the speakers: Dr. Jill Stein, a third-party presidential candidate. Her advice for youth interested in organizing for a better future was to join her campaign—Dr. Stein, who is Jewish, advocates for Palestinian liberation as part of her platform for “people, planet, and peace.”

Protestors march across 42nd Street (Ella-Devi Weerackody)

The masses in protest traversed 42nd Street with growing urgency, as Israel had recently expanded strikes from Gaza to Lebanon. Many protesters waved the flag of Lebanon alongside the Palestinian flag, and others held signs with the names and pictures of dead Lebanese civilian families. One banner, which read “Prime Minister of Genocide,” had an illustration of Netanyahu raising a hand dripping with blood. Speeches condemned the devastation in Lebanon and denounced the Biden-Harris administration’s support of Israel; it has sent at least $17.9 billion to the Israeli military since October 2023. 

 

The HSMSE students who attended found the experience to be very powerful. Lucian Lipton (‘26) remarked: “Protesting was important because it reminded me I’m not alone. ‘What can I do? I’m one person,’ I thought. But that day, among the thousands of people demanding justice together, I realized that I’m not ‘one person.’”