Anti-Netanyahu billboards in Times Square go global

A group of Jews has triggered an international media storm from one of the world's most visible locations: Times Square in the heart of Manhattan.

Following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the UN, in which he attacked New York's Muslim mayor Eric Adams and claimed that New York Jews no longer feel safe, the organization Neturei Karta launched a large-scale billboard campaign costing thousands of dollars. The messages declared "Netanyahu does not represent American Jews," "Zionism is not Judaism," and "Not in our name."

Anti-Netanyahu billboards in the US (Photo: Courtesy)

The billboards went up last week at 1557 Broadway and remained displayed until candle-lighting. Times Square, known as the world's premier advertising hub, is viewed daily by crowds from every country and background, and any message appearing on these giant screens is immediately documented, photographed and shared globally through platforms offering the widest possible public exposure.

The initiative was led under the direction of Rabbi Moshe Dov Katz, founder of "Torah-observant Jews" and chairman of Neturei Karta. Addressing how the campaign was made possible, Rabbi Katz stated: "I raised thousands of dollars, dollar by dollar, from New York Jews, community members, who feel deep frustration that Netanyahu is using our communities for his political battles. Countless Jews feel silenced and unrepresented, and they demanded that their voice be heard clearly before the world."

Regarding the purpose of the move, Rabbi Katz added: "We feel deep pain over the exploitation of our holy religion to advance the interests of a foreign government. Jews are not agents of Israel, Zionism is not Judaism, and Netanyahu does not represent us. We seek to live in peace and harmony with our neighbors, without being dragged into political conflicts that do not belong to us."

Neturei Karta notes that portraying Jews as representatives of the State of Israel does not fight antisemitism, but rather channels anger over Israel's policies toward innocent Jewish communities, damaging the quiet and peaceful relationships Jews have built with their neighbors.

What began as billboards in the heart of Manhattan quickly became an international news story that crossed continents and languages. International media outlets covered the display extensively, and Arab media in several countries around the world also gave wide coverage to the storm.

According to the organizers of the protest billboards, their intention was to deliver a clear message: that Netanyahu does not speak for the Jewish people, the State of Israel does not represent Judaism, and Jews must not be held responsible for the actions of a foreign government.