Hundreds of protesters, including several prominent left-leaning actors and local politicians, gathered near the United Nations headquarters in New York City on Thursday to call for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The demonstration, which coincided with Netanyahu’s speech to the UN General Assembly, resulted in at least 104 arrests as New York Police Department officers cleared the area along First Avenue, according to law enforcement sources and event organizers.
Among those detained were Democratic Socialists of America member Darializa Avila Chevalier, a House candidate backed by New York City Council Member Shahana Mamdani. Chevalier was seen chanting “Free Palestine” while being led onto an NYPD bus. Several other allies of Mamdani were also taken into custody, including City Council members Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Chi Ossé, all progressive representatives from Brooklyn. State Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, also affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, was reportedly arrested during the protest.
Notable figures from the entertainment industry were present at the event, including Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon and actors Cynthia Nixon, Elliot Page, and Hannah Einbinder of the HBO series “Hacks.” Sarandon and Einbinder were among those arrested, along with activist and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
The protest was part of a broader effort by activists and politicians to pressure international authorities to hold Netanyahu accountable for his government’s actions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Critics have called for Netanyahu’s arrest on allegations related to human rights violations amid ongoing tensions and violence in the region.
Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations came amid heightened political challenges both in Israel and internationally. He faced backlash at home following the deadly October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, marking the bloodiest day for Israelis since the Holocaust. Many Israeli voters have criticized Netanyahu for intelligence and security failures that allowed the surprise attack, and his delay in launching a national inquiry into the incident has fueled discontent across the political spectrum.
During his address, Netanyahu sought to distance himself from violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, stating, “I can’t stand them,” in response to international criticism over settler violence toward Palestinians. The prime minister also issued sharp remarks targeting New York City’s newly elected Mayor Shahana Mamdani, accusing her of attempting to have him arrested as a “war criminal” and condemning recent antisemitic incidents in the city. Netanyahu highlighted social media posts by Mamdani’s spouse that appeared to condone violence against Jews, saying, “You tried to stop me, but you can’t silence the truth.”
The demonstrations and arrests in New York underscored the global polarization surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reflecting deep divisions within both international and domestic forums. With Israeli elections approaching, Netanyahu’s political future remains uncertain amid ongoing scrutiny of his leadership and policies.