UN Summit; Protests Against Netanyahu and Campaign Against the Islamic Republic

While anti-war opponents in Gaza have launched a campaign against Benjamin Netanyahu and his government in New York, Netanyahu's government has also brought a campaign against Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Republic to New York. Concurrently with the arrival of the Israeli Prime Minister in New York for a speech at the annual UN General Assembly on Friday, October 6, pro-Palestinian demonstrators have initiated a campaign calling for a 'stop to the killing of children.' On the other hand, the Israeli government and its supporters in the U.S. are conducting a broad campaign in New York, portraying the Islamic Republic of Iran as a supporter of terrorism and a source of regional crises. Benjamin Netanyahu will speak at the General Assembly on Friday morning, October 6, local time. Given his long tenure as Prime Minister, he is one of the most experienced international leaders who has delivered several speeches at this annual meeting. Upon his arrival in New York on Thursday, October 5, protesters gathered both in front of the UN headquarters and at his hotel. At the protest in front of the UN, members of an informal coalition of Jewish organizations opposing 'occupation' protested against Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, carrying the Israeli flag and promotional banners. One speaker at this protest stated that Benjamin Netanyahu would 'lie to the world on Friday, just as he lies to us Israelis.' The speaker called for a 'stop to the killing of children,' 'an end to the war, signing a ceasefire agreement, and returning Israeli hostages from Gaza to their homes in Israel.' Calm gatherings on Thursday morning escalated into tensions in the evening and night. Earlier, about 300 people marched down Fifth Avenue in New York holding Palestinian flags and headed towards the UN headquarters. The protesters held placards reading 'Free Palestine' and labeled Benjamin Netanyahu a 'war criminal.' This group urged the U.S. government to end its military aid to Israel. More protests against the Israeli Prime Minister have been organized by Palestinian supporters for Friday and Saturday, as his stay in the U.S. comes to an end. New York has witnessed extensive protests in support of Palestinians over the past year amid the Gaza war. The Israeli government announced on its official website on Thursday that it has launched a campaign in the streets of New York coinciding with the annual UN General Assembly against Tehran's 'terrorism-promoting' policies and 'agents of terror.' The campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran has been titled: 'When someone tells you who they really are, believe them.' Multiple digital billboards in the streets of New York, including on a convoy of trucks, display statements by Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, against America as the 'Great Satan' and other remarks regarding the 'destruction of Israel.' Scanning the barcode on these billboards takes individuals to a website that compiles quotes from Iranian officials, Hezbollah leaders, and leaders of the extremist group Hamas against America, Israel, and the West. This government campaign has mainly been executed in the streets near the UN headquarters. Benjamin Netanyahu will deliver his speech at the UN this year while his country has been engaged in war with Hamas for a year and its security and military crisis with Hezbollah has also intensified in the past ten days. According to Israeli media reports, Mr. Netanyahu is expected to introduce the ruling government of Iran as the source of terrorism in the region.