A New York Democrat was arrested Thursday during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside the United Nations.
Darializa Avila Chevalier was charged with disorderly conduct outside United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, according to police cited by Bloomberg.
Avila Chevalier defeated five-term Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat in June’s primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District.
The district includes parts of Harlem and the Bronx and strongly favors Democrats in the general election.
Her victory removed the chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and handed Mayor Zohran Mamdani another political win.
Mamdani endorsed Avila Chevalier, who campaigned against continued American support for Israel during its war against Hamas.
The protest unfolded as Netanyahu addressed the U.N. General Assembly and defended Israel against accusations over its Gaza campaign.
Jewish Voice for Peace organized a demonstration outside the building that drew about 200 participants, according to Reuters.
Wearing matching white shirts, protesters carried messages including “Fund people not bombs” and “Free Palestine.”
Some participants sat on First Avenue and blocked traffic while police ordered them to clear the roadway.
Several moved to the sidewalks, but others stayed seated as officers arrived and began making arrests.
Reuters initially reported at least 30 arrests, while CBS New York later cited police sources estimating about 100.
Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist overwhelmingly favored in the race for a House seat representing part of New York City, was arrested while protesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations. https://t.co/aR3PCM0d5Y
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 24, 2026
Avila Chevalier defended her participation and called Netanyahu a war criminal in a statement to City & State New York.
She said she would not allow him to walk through the city without facing public opposition.
The Democratic nominee also accused Israel of killing or injuring more than 64,000 children in Gaza.
That figure was her claim, and the reports reviewed for this article did not independently establish it.
“Netanyahu belongs at the Hague,” Avila Chevalier said in another statement after her arrest, according to Bloomberg.
New York City Council member Chi Ossé was arrested at the protest and denounced American financial support for Israel.
“I’m sick and tired of my taxpayer dollars going towards an active genocide,” Ossé told PIX11.
The demonstrations also drew entertainers, including actors Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder, who police took into custody.
Police sources also identified whistleblower Chelsea Manning, comedian Caleb Hearon, and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher among those arrested, CBS reported.
Some protesters chanted against Netanyahu while police secured their hands with zip ties and escorted them to buses.
Supporters of Israel also gathered nearby, and CBS reported that confrontations between opposing groups sometimes escalated into fistfights.
Inside the General Assembly, dozens of delegations walked out as Netanyahu began speaking, while others applauded him.
Netanyahu sharply rejected allegations of genocide and criticized Mamdani during his address to the world body.
“Accusing Israel of genocide is the greatest lie of the century,” Netanyahu said, according to Bloomberg.
He also argued that Jewish residents no longer feel safe in New York under Mamdani’s leadership.
Mamdani has called Netanyahu a war criminal and previously suggested arresting him if he visited New York.
The mayor later acknowledged that city officials lack authority to execute an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.
That court issued a warrant in 2024 alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Gaza.
Israel disputes the allegations, and neither Israel nor the United States is a member of the court.
Israel says its military campaign targets Hamas after the terrorist group’s October 7, 2023, attack.
The attack killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in the kidnapping of 251 others, according to Israeli authorities.
Gaza health officials report tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, with their overall tally combining civilians and fighters.
Avila Chevalier’s victory reflected that divide, as her campaign challenged Espaillat’s support for the longtime American ally, The Washington Post reported.
Mamdani-backed candidates Brad Lander and Claire Valdez also won New York congressional primaries in June.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
