Actors Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder were among around 100 people taken into custody during a protest in New York ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered along First Avenue near the UN headquarters on Thursday to oppose Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The protest was organised by Jewish Voice for Peace, which called for an end to US military support for Israel.
Police moved to clear a sit-in after protesters blocked traffic and roadways near 39th Street. Officers were seen securing demonstrators with zip ties and leading them away.
Footage showed Sarandon being handcuffed and escorted from the demonstration by New York Police Department officers. Einbinder, who stars in the Emmy-winning series Hacks, was also filmed being led away while shouting: “Free Palestine” and “Netanyahu out of New York”.
Comedian Caleb Hearon was among those detained. Other high-profile figures at the protest included actors Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker and Elliot Page, Sex And The City star Cynthia Nixon and WikiLeaks whistleblower Chelsea Manning. There were no reports that those participants had been detained.
The NYPD had not immediately confirmed the final number of arrests or whether charges would be brought against those taken into custody.
Protesters oppose Netanyahu’s UN address
The demonstration took place as Netanyahu prepared to speak to world leaders inside the General Assembly chamber. Protesters outside chanted: “Netanyahu you can’t hide, you are wanted for genocide.”
A mass walkout by delegates also greeted the Israeli prime minister’s speech. Addressing those who remained, Netanyahu said: “If there are any other moral cowards who have not yet left the hall, please do so now.”
Netanyahu used his address to defend Israel’s military actions and accuse his critics of spreading misinformation. He also attacked New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, calling him the “antisemitic mayor of New York” and accusing him of making Jewish New Yorkers feel unsafe.
Mamdani had threatened to have Netanyahu arrested if he came to the city.
Sarandon, 79, has long voiced support for Palestinians. Earlier this month, she said her political views had continued to cost her work in Hollywood, claiming at the Venice Film Festival that films had recently been “taken away” because agencies were allegedly telling people not to hire her.
Einbinder, 31, has also repeatedly spoken in support of Palestinians. She said “free Palestine” during her acceptance speech at the 2025 Emmys and last week criticised British singer Ed Sheeran after rapper Macklemore was dropped as an opening act on Sheeran’s US tour following pro-Palestinian comments during performances.
