Major Jewish Organizations to Protest Antisemitism at UN Headquarters

Major Jewish organizations in New York have announced a rally against rising antisemitism, scheduled to take place outside the United Nations headquarters on September 23. The demonstration coincides with the UN General Assembly's High-Level Week, a period when world leaders convene at the UN. Organizers aim to urge global leaders to take decisive action against the escalating wave of antisemitism, with promotional materials urging, "Tell world leaders - no more excuses."

The protest is being organized by a broad coalition of prominent community groups, including the UJA-Federation of New York, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Union for Reform Judaism, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Yeshiva University, the Israeli-American Council, and StandWithUs. Notably, some of these organizations rarely participate in street protests.

The rally will be held on Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, directly opposite the UN headquarters in Manhattan. The timing is significant, occurring the day before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to address the UN. This event highlights growing discontent within New York's Jewish community regarding the current levels of antisemitism.

Recent months have seen an increase in anti-antisemitism activism. Groups like EndJewHatred and Lawfare Project recently held a demonstration outside the offices of the Democratic Socialists of America in Manhattan, drawing several hundred participants. During that event, speakers, including victims' families from the September 11, 2001 attacks, condemned New York City Mayor Eric Adams' ties to anti-Israel streamer Hasan Piker, who previously made controversial remarks about the 9/11 attacks. Mayor Adams has called Piker's remarks "unacceptable and reprehensible" and stated he would attend a memorial ceremony.