New york: Hundreds of Orthodox Jews staged a protest Wednesday in New York City against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned participation in next week's UN General Assembly meetings. Organized through the website 'Israel versus Judaism,' the demonstrators gathered in front of the Israeli Consulate building in Manhattan.

According to Anadolu Agency, the protestors arrived earlier in school buses, holding banners with messages such as 'Netanyahu and Ben Gvir: Enemy No. 1 of the Jewish people,' 'Anti-Zionism is not Anti-Semitism,' and 'Stop forcing Jews into the Zionist army.' A large sign behind the platform from which Yiddish speeches were delivered drew attention with the words: 'Netanyahu: you do not speak in our name.'

Rabbi David Feldman, one of the demonstrators, spoke to Anadolu, expressing concerns that Netanyahu's UN visit 'will mislead the world into thinking that he represents all Jews and that the actions he has carried out are somehow condoned by the Jewish religion.' Feldman stated that everything Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu stand for contradicts Judaism and is a real source of shame.

Citing the Torah, Feldman argued that true Judaism requires opposition to the state of Israel, emphasizing that waging war against or attacking any nation is forbidden. He described the events in Gaza as 'unacceptable' and expressed sadness over the ongoing conflict, land grabs, and oppression in Palestine.

Feldman stressed that many Jews worldwide oppose what Israel represents, clarifying that their opposition extends beyond Netanyahu to all forms of Zionism. He added that protests would continue when Netanyahu arrives in New York. The demonstrators later marched toward the UN to conclude their demonstration.