New York City police detained approximately 100 protesters on Thursday during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he prepared to address the United Nations General Assembly. Among those arrested were actors Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder, who were participating in the protest organized by Jewish Voice for Peace.
Video footage showed Sarandon, known for her roles in films such as “Thelma & Louise” and “Dead Man Walking,” being escorted away in handcuffs by NYPD officers. Einbinder, star of the series “Hacks,” was similarly led from the scene. The protest took place near the UN headquarters, where demonstrators blocked an intersection while holding signs with messages including “Stop Arming [Zionists]” and “End the Genocide.”
A spokesperson for the NYPD stated that officers responded to reports of an unauthorized demonstration that obstructed traffic. Members of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau issued warnings for the crowd to disperse. When protesters continued to block the intersection, multiple individuals were taken into custody. The department did not specify the exact number of arrests. Jewish Voice for Peace, however, reported on social media that more than 100 people had been detained. The organization said over 400 participants conducted a mass sit-in calling for an end to military aid to Israel and condemning what it described as ongoing war crimes.
Inside the UN General Assembly, Netanyahu’s speech was met with protests as dozens of diplomats walked out in response to his remarks. The Israeli leader criticized countries such as Britain and France for recognizing the state of Palestine, accusing them of hypocrisy and colonial accusations. He said, “They accuse [Israel] of colonialism — some colonialism. And who’s accusing us? Among them are people in Britain and in France. For God’s sakes, they invented the term.”
The protest and arrests underscore the deep divisions and intense emotions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which continue to play out on global diplomatic stages and public demonstrations alike. Sarandon, who has a history of activism related to the Gaza conflict, was among several notable figures using their platform to voice opposition to Israel’s policies amid rising international scrutiny.