On Friday, September 26, 2025, thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of New York City in a powerful display of opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appearance at the United Nations General Assembly. The protest, one of the largest in recent years related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, began in Times Square and culminated outside the UN headquarters on First Avenue .
A City Divided: Protesters Demand Accountability
Organized by a coalition of progressive Jewish groups, Palestinian solidarity organizations, and human rights advocates, the march drew an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 participants according to NYPD estimates . Chanting slogans like “Not in Our Name” and “Ceasefire Now,” demonstrators called for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel and condemned Netanyahu’s leadership amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Key Demands of the Demonstrators
- Immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza
- End to U.S. military funding for Israel’s war efforts
- Release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas
- Accountability for alleged war crimes by all parties
Protest Timeline: From Times Square to the UN
7:00 AM
Rally begins in Times Square
8:15 AM
March departs eastward on 42nd Street
9:30 AM
Rally outside UN headquarters
Counter-Protest and Security Measures
While the main demonstration remained peaceful, a smaller pro-Israel counter-protest of approximately 500 people gathered near the UN, waving Israeli flags and holding signs reading “Stand with Israel.” The NYPD deployed over 1,200 officers to manage crowd control and prevent clashes .
U.S. Public Opinion: A Shifting Landscape
The NYC protest reflects broader trends in American sentiment. Recent polling shows a generational and partisan divide on the Israel-Gaza conflict:
| Demographic | Support for U.S. Aid to Israel | Favor Immediate Ceasefire |
|---|---|---|
| Adults under 30 | 32% | 68% |
| Democrats | 41% | 61% |
| Republicans | 82% | 24% |
| Overall U.S. Adults | 54% | 47% |
Source: Pew Research Center, August 2025
Why This Protest Matters for U.S. Policy
With the 2026 midterm elections approaching and growing pressure from progressive lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Biden administration faces mounting calls to reassess its unconditional support for Israel [[INTERNAL_LINK:us-israel-policy]]. The NYC demonstration underscores the domestic political cost of maintaining the status quo—especially in key urban districts across the Northeast and West Coast.
Grassroots activism continues to shape U.S. foreign policy debates on the Israel-Gaza war.
