New York, New York - Protests erupted across New York City on Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived to deliver a speech before the United Nations.
Netanyahu and his wife arrived on Thursday at a military base outside of New York City and traveled to Manhattan, where he was scheduled to address the General Assembly around 2 PM.
His arrival was met with hundreds of protesters who hit the streets to shout out their disdain for the conflict, which has to date resulted in the deaths of more than 73,000 Palestinians and has been deemed a genocide by numerous human rights experts.
Protesters blocked traffic and caused heavy disruptions outside of the UN building located on 1st Avenue, while wearing shirts that read "Let Gaza live," "The whole world is watching," and "Fund people not bombs."
According to The Guardian, dozens of people were arrested during the protests, including several public figures, such as actors Hannah Einbinder and Susan Sarandon, whistleblower Chelsea Manning, and comedian Caleb Hearon.
A number of politicians were also in attendance, such as New York's Darializa Avila Chevalier and Brad Lander, Pennsylvania's Chris Rabb, New Jersey's Adam Hamawy, and Colorado's Melat Kiros.
When Netanyahu took the stage at the UN, an overwhelming number of delegations walked out of the room before he could begin giving his speech.
"If there any other moral cowards who have not left the hall, please do so now," the prime minister declared.
Another protest is reportedly planned for Thursday afternoon, where activists will march from midtown Manhattan to the UN.