Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for Nigeria’s 2027 general election, Omoyele Sowore, has joined a pro-Palestine demonstration in New York, United States, condemning Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and calling for justice and respect for Palestinian rights.
Sowore disclosed his participation in the protest in a post on X on Friday, accompanied by a video showing him taking part in the demonstration.
“Yes, today in New York, I joined the Free Palestine protest. No justice, no peace! #FreePalestine!” Sowore wrote.
“I condemn the genocide being committed by the state of Israel in Gaza. I joined to make it clear that Nigerians stand for justice and human rights for Palestinians,” he added.
Sowore’s participation came amid renewed international protests and diplomatic tensions surrounding Israel’s war in Gaza, as world leaders and diplomats gathered in New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The protest also coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appearance at the UN General Assembly on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
As Netanyahu approached the podium to deliver his address, dozens of delegates walked out of the General Assembly hall. Reports indicated that scores of representatives left their seats, leaving large portions of the hall empty as the Israeli prime minister began speaking.
Netanyahu responded by referring to those who walked out as “moral cowards” and challenged other delegates who remained in the hall to leave as well. The Palestinian Mission to the UN had earlier urged delegations to collectively walk out during Netanyahu’s address.
Netanyahu, in his speech, rejected allegations that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, describing the accusations as false and defending Israel’s military actions.
The Gaza war began after Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to figures cited by international authorities. Israel subsequently launched a large-scale military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
The conflict has since resulted in extensive destruction, mass displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis, with international organisations continuing to report civilian casualties, shortages of essential supplies and damage to critical infrastructure.
The scale of Palestinian casualties and the conduct of Israel’s military campaign have generated intense international debate and allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024. The ICC said there were reasonable grounds to believe he bore criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes, including starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally directing attacks against civilians, as well as alleged crimes against humanity including murder, persecution and other inhumane acts.
The allegations contained in the ICC warrant remain allegations and do not constitute a conviction. Israel has rejected the ICC proceedings and has maintained that its military campaign is directed against Hamas and intended to protect Israeli citizens following the October 7, 2023 attacks.
The Gaza conflict has also generated allegations of genocide. A UN-appointed Commission of Inquiry has previously made findings alleging that Israel’s actions in Gaza met the legal definition of genocide, while Israel has strongly rejected the allegation.
The dispute over the genocide allegation remains one of the most contentious aspects of the conflict, with Israel maintaining that it is fighting Hamas and not targeting Palestinians as a people.
The crisis has also become a major issue at the United Nations, where governments have continued to debate civilian protection, humanitarian access, accountability and the future political status of the Palestinians.
Amnesty International has meanwhile criticised the United States over its decision to deny visas to a high-level Palestinian delegation, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, to attend the 81st UN General Assembly.
In a September 17 statement, Amnesty called on the US State Department to reverse the decision, arguing that denying visas to the Palestinian delegation undermined international justice and accountability mechanisms.
Amnesty said the visa decision came as Palestinian authorities pursued international justice through institutions including the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
The organisation has also criticised what it described as failures by powerful states to support international accountability over alleged crimes in the conflict.
The United States has defended its policies toward Israel and Palestinian representatives, while Israel has continued to reject allegations of genocide and other international crimes.
Sowore’s appearance at the New York demonstration adds an international dimension to his long-standing activism on human rights, democracy and social justice and comes as he campaigns ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
His participation also places his public comments on the Gaza conflict alongside the broader demonstrations, diplomatic protests and international legal disputes that have surrounded Netanyahu’s visit to the United Nations.
With pro-Palestinian demonstrators protesting in New York and dozens of UN delegates walking out of Netanyahu’s address, the 81st General Assembly has once again placed the Gaza conflict, Palestinian rights and questions of international accountability at the centre of global diplomatic attention.