Susan Sarandon arrested during New York protest against Netanyahu

Saturday 26 - 21:15

American actress Susan Sarandon was among several demonstrators detained in New York on Thursday as activists protested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United Nations General Assembly.

Sarandon, 79, was taken into custody during a sit-in organized by Jewish Voice for Peace near the UN headquarters. Images from the demonstration showed police officers handcuffing the Oscar-winning actress as officers moved protesters away from the area. Reuters reported that at least 30 people were arrested, while organizers and other reports cited a higher figure later in the day.

The protest took place as Netanyahu was scheduled to address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Police cite obstruction of traffic

According to the New York Police Department, officers intervened after demonstrators occupied an intersection and were instructed to clear the roadway and leave the area.

Police said people who refused to comply were taken into custody. The arrests therefore followed the authorities’ enforcement of orders to clear the intersection rather than being described by police as arrests solely because of the protesters’ political views.

Jewish Voice for Peace, which organized the action, presented the demonstration as an act of civil disobedience opposing U.S. military support for Israel and Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza.

Hannah Einbinder also detained

Sarandon was not the only entertainment figure involved in the arrests. Actress Hannah Einbinder, known for the television series Hacks, was also detained during the demonstration.

Reuters identified both Sarandon and Einbinder among those arrested, alongside several political figures and other protesters.

Protesters displayed messages calling for an end to the war and an end to U.S. arms supplies to Israel. Among the slogans reported at the scene were calls to “Stop Arming Israel” and “End the Genocide.” These phrases reflected the organizers’ stated position and the demands expressed by participants.

Demonstration coincides with Netanyahu’s UN appearance

The protest came as Netanyahu arrived in New York for his appearance before the General Assembly. His presence at the UN had already generated demonstrations and political controversy in the city.

The Israeli prime minister used his UN appearance to defend Israel’s military campaign and respond to criticism over the war in Gaza. His visit also drew attention from New York political leaders and activist groups with sharply different positions on the conflict.

For the protesters gathered near the UN, the timing of the sit-in was intended to put opposition to Netanyahu’s policies and U.S. support for Israel at the center of public attention as the Israeli leader addressed the international body.

Arrests draw attention to celebrity participation

Sarandon’s detention added a high-profile name to a demonstration that brought together activists, public figures and politicians. The actress has long been publicly involved in political and humanitarian causes, making her presence particularly visible as images of her arrest circulated internationally.

The participation of figures such as Sarandon and Einbinder also gave the protest additional media attention beyond the immediate confrontation between demonstrators and police.

The events in New York unfolded against the broader backdrop of the UN General Assembly, where the Gaza war and the wider Middle East conflict remained prominent subjects of international debate.