American Jews Protest Ahead of Netanyahu’s UN Visit
- IVJ
- Sep 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 25
“Benjamin Netanyahu and the State of Israel Do Not Represent Jews or Judaism.”
On September 17, 2025, American Jews gathered in New York City to protest the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United Nations General Assembly. The rally condemned Netanyahu, the State of Israel that he represents, and the criminal policies he promotes and perpetrates.
This demonstration came at a time when the world is witnessing unimaginable bloodshed and Zionist crimes, which are being widely condemned across the globe. The Zionist regime is now even attempting to draft Jewish youth into its army to participate in these crimes.
The rally began at 5:00 PM, as hundreds of Orthodox Jews arrived in school buses outside the Israeli Consulate on Second Avenue, holding banners that read:
“Benjamin Netanyahu and the State of Israel Do NOT Represent Jews or Judaism”
“Jews Worldwide Condemn Israeli Bloody Brutality”
“Stop Forcing Jews into the Zionist Army; the Israeli Army Is Forbidden by Jewish Law”
“Judaism Condemns the State of ‘Israel’ and Its Atrocities”
“The Only Country Where Jewish Religion Is Oppressed Is the So-Called "Jewish" State of Israel”
“Anti-Zionism Is NOT Anti-Semitism; Judaism and Zionism Are Diametrically Opposed”
Esteemed rabbis addressed the crowd with passionate speeches, denouncing Netanyahu’s visit and reaffirming that Israel and its crimes do not represent Jews or Judaism. Following the addresses, the demonstrators marched down Second Avenue to the United Nations Headquarters. There, the message was once again heard loud and clear: the State of Israel and its atrocities have no legitimacy in Judaism, and its spokespeople do not represent the Jewish people.
At the protest, a large banner reading “Netanyahu: You Don’t Speak in Our Name. No Draft, No Wars — We Are Jews, Not Zionists” drew attention behind the platform where Yiddish speeches were being delivered.
Rabbi Chaim Katz, one of the organizers, declared:
“Netanyahu is coming to speak at the United Nations General Assembly to draw a connection between the Israeli state and Jews or Judaism, to claim legitimacy for his state and the crimes against humanity he is committing. We are demonstrating to show the world that this is totally false. The world must know that Israel is not a Jewish state, and its spokespeople do not represent the Jewish people!”
Rabbi Katz added:
“This is happening while anti-Zionist Jewish communities in Israel are being oppressed by the Zionist government for opposing the very existence of the Zionist state and its brutal policies. Recently, the Zionist regime has been trying to force Jewish boys and girls to join their army and carry out its atrocities. Whoever refuses automatically becomes a criminal. These conscientious objectors are being arrested and tortured, and the communities standing up in their defense are attacked and brutalized.”
The strong stance of anti-Zionist communities in Israel was also expressed:
“From day one, our rabbis have opposed the creation of the State of Israel and its actions. According to Judaism, Jews are forbidden to occupy other people’s land, to establish a sovereign state, to rebel or wage wars against any nation, or to commit bloodshed. Jews are a peaceful people and seek no domination or rule over others. We want no conflict or confrontation with anyone.
Therefore, serving in the Israeli army is a grave violation of the Jewish religion. Forcing one to participate is an act of religious persecution and a blatant breach of the world’s recognized freedoms of religion, conscience, and expression. This is a violation of human rights.
We will stand in solidarity with our Orthodox communities who refuse to serve in the inhumane and immoral Israeli army. We will never support the Zionist state or any of its actions or policies.
Everything Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu stand for is in complete contradiction with Judaism and is a real source of shame for our people.”
