Published : 25 Sep 2026, 10:10 AM
Updated : 25 Sep 2026, 10:10 AM
Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon and Emmy winner Hannah Einbinder were among at least 30 people arrested outside United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The demonstration took place ahead of Netanyahu’s address to the UN General Assembly and brought together actors, politicians and activists opposed to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, according to Reuters.
Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and New York City Council member Chi Ossé were also among those arrested, Reuters reported.
The rally was organised by Jewish Voice for Peace, a Jewish activist group that supports Palestinians.
Around 200 people gathered outside the UN wearing identical white T-shirts carrying slogans including “Fund people not bombs”, “No war” and “Free Palestine”.
Protesters blocked traffic near the UN complex as world leaders gathered for the annual General Assembly.
Police ordered the demonstrators to leave through loudspeakers. Some moved onto the pavement, but a core group remained seated in the road and continued chanting against Netanyahu.
Officers then began removing protesters one by one, tying their hands behind their backs with zip ties before escorting them to police buses, according to Reuters.
Manijeh Moradian, a university professor who took part in the demonstration, said protesters felt a responsibility to speak out against what was happening in Gaza and against Netanyahu using the UN platform to defend Israel’s actions.
Sarandon, who won an Academy Award for “Dead Man Walking”, has previously taken part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Einbinder, best known for the television series “Hacks”, has also publicly criticised Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
The protest came as Netanyahu faced a hostile reception inside the UN as well.
Dozens of delegates walked out of the General Assembly Hall as he began his address, while Netanyahu used the speech to defend Israel’s military actions in Gaza and elsewhere in the region.
Israel rejects accusations that it is committing genocide in Gaza and says its military operations target Hamas militants who operate among civilians.
The demonstration outside UN headquarters was one of several protests in New York surrounding Netanyahu’s visit. Hundreds of protesters gathered elsewhere in the city as opposition to Israel’s Gaza campaign and US support for it continued to draw demonstrations.
