Actresses Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder Among Over 100 Detained at Anti-Netanyahu Protest in New York

Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder were among more than 100 people detained by police during a protest outside the United Nations in New York, where demonstrators gathered as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to address the General Assembly. Jewish Voice for Peace, which organised the demonstration, said 104 people were arrested.

The Thursday demonstration was organised by Jewish Voice for Peace and drew hundreds of protesters, including actors, activists and elected officials. The New York Police Department moved in after demonstrators remained in the street despite being instructed to disperse.

Netanyahu delivered his address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. Protesters gathered near the UN headquarters, with demonstrators occupying First Avenue for more than an hour and calling for an end to US support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Organisers said the action was intended to draw attention to Palestinian suffering and oppose Netanyahu's appearance in New York.

Hollywood Stars Taken Into Custody

The Oscar-winning Thelma & Louise star was among the individuals photographed being detained by NYPD officers. Einbinder, known for the HBO comedy Hacks, was also taken into custody, along with other prominent people including Indya Moore, Caleb Hearon, whistleblower Chelsea Manning and NYC Council member Chi Ossé, according to a report by The Guardian.

The demonstration also attracted a number of other well-known figures who were not reported as being detained. Cynthia Nixon, Elliot Page, Sarah Sherman, Mary Beth Barone, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker were among those seen at the gathering. Jewish Voice for Peace listed several of them among participants, while identifying Sarandon, Einbinder and others as arrested.

Officers were dispatched after receiving reports of an 'unscheduled demonstration' that was obstructing an intersection. 'Members of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau issued ... warnings, advising participants that they should leave,' an NYPD spokesperson said, adding that after being advised, the group remained in the roadway. 'They continued to block the intersection. Multiple individuals who didn't comply were taken into custody.'

Protesters Target Netanyahu's UN Visit

The demonstration featured banners and chants focused on Gaza, Palestinian rights and US military support for Israel. Protesters carried signs including calls to put funding towards people rather than weapons, while organisers said the sit-in was intended to challenge Netanyahu's presence at the UN. The Independent reported that demonstrators repeatedly called for Palestinian freedom and criticised US support for Israel.

Einbinder had publicly explained her decision to participate before the protest. In a statement while being arrested, she said she believed it was her responsibility to speak out against the war in Gaza and called for an end to US funding of Israel's military campaign.

Detentions as Netanyahu Faced Protests Inside & Outside UN

The street demonstrations coincided with opposition to Netanyahu's speech inside the General Assembly. Dozens of delegates walked out as the Israeli prime minister began speaking, prompting Netanyahu to criticise those who left. Netanyahu appeared amid continued international controversy surrounding Israel's military campaign in Gaza and the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s 2024 arrest warrant for Netanyahu. Israel has rejected the allegations underlying the warrant and disputed the court's jurisdiction.

The scale of Thursday's demonstration reflected the heightened tensions surrounding Netanyahu's visit to New York. Jewish Voice for Peace said 104 people were arrested, while the NYPD did not provide a total for the number taken into custody.

The protest was one of several demonstrations held around the city during the UN General Assembly, bringing the dispute over Israel's actions in Gaza directly onto New York's streets.