Who Is Hannah Einbinder and Her Palestine Advocacy? 'Hacks' Star Detained at NYC Protest Against Netanyahu

Hannah Einbinder was detained by New York police during a protest outside the United Nations on Thursday, 24 September, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to address the General Assembly.

The Hacks star has increasingly used her public profile to speak about Palestine, from her 2025 Emmy acceptance speech to comments at the Cannes Film Festival and her recent criticism of the fallout surrounding Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's US tour.

Einbinder was among more than 104 people whom JVP said were arrested during a Jewish Voice for Peace demonstration on First Avenue near the UN.

NYPD said officers responded to reports of an 'unscheduled demonstration' and took people into custody after protesters continued blocking the intersection.

Who Is Hannah Einbinder?

Einbinder, 31, is a Los Angeles-born actor and comedian best known for playing Ava Daniels in HBO's Hacks, opposite Jean Smart.

She began her career in stand-up comedy before landing the role of Ava Daniels in Hacks, which premiered in 2021.

Einbinder won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2025 for her performance as Ava.

She also stars in Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, which premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.

Einbinder's Palestine Advocacy

Einbinder has spoken publicly about Palestine for more than a year, including at major entertainment events.

After winning the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in September 2025, she ended her acceptance speech by saying: 'Go Birds, fuck ICE, and free Palestine!'

At Cannes in May 2026, Einbinder addressed concerns about the potential professional consequences of speaking publicly about Palestine.

'The cost of not speaking is higher,' she said, adding that her career could not be measured against 'even one human life'.

She has also expressed support for actors who have spoken publicly about Palestine, including Susan Sarandon, Melissa Barrera, Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem.

More recently, Einbinder backed Macklemore amid the fallout from his removal from Ed Sheeran's US tour after his pro-Palestinian comments. She also criticised Sheeran over the fallout, including joking on Instagram that she hoped he would suffer a 'REALLY bad sun burn.'

During Thursday's protest, Einbinder described taking part as a moral responsibility 'as a Jew, as an American, and as a human'.

'Hacks' Star Detained at NYC Protest Against Netanyahu

Einbinder joined protesters outside the UN as Netanyahu was due to address the General Assembly. Jewish Voice for Peace said the demonstration called for an end to US arms supplies to Israel and the war in Gaza, and that more than 104 people were arrested. Sarandon was also detained during the demonstration.

An NYPD spokesperson said officers issued warnings after protesters blocked an intersection and later took those who remained into custody. Footage showed Einbinder being detained alongside other protesters.

Einbinder on Her NYC Detention

Following the protest, Einbinder addressed her detention on Instagram, saying images of her and her friends being arrested should draw attention to what she described as the ongoing devastation in Gaza and the wider region.

She said the attention should not overshadow what she described as the devastation facing Palestinians, writing: 'Let us not mistake the spectacle for the story: genocide is the headline, and it is time for it to end.'