NEW YORK, United States — Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon and Hacks star Hannah Einbinder were among more than 100 people arrested near the United Nations on Thursday during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US military support for Israel.
New York police moved in after demonstrators sat in an intersection near UN headquarters as Netanyahu prepared to address the General Assembly on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Footage from Agence France-Presse showed officers handcuffing Sarandon, while Einbinder was also taken into custody at the demonstration organised by Jewish Voice for Peace.
The Guardian reported that police said the demonstration had not been scheduled and was obstructing an intersection.
“Members of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau issued … warnings, advising participants that they should leave,” a police spokesperson said.
“They continued to block the intersection. Multiple individuals who didn’t comply were taken into custody.”
Protesters Call for End to US Arms Support
Jewish Voice for Peace said the demonstration took place at First Avenue and East 39th Street and drew hundreds of participants.
Protesters carried banners reading “Stop Arming Israel” and “End the Genocide” and called for Washington to end weapons supplies to the Israeli government.
The organisation said 104 people were arrested, although police did not provide that figure in their statement to the Guardian.
Einbinder said before her arrest that she was participating because of her opposition to US support for Israel’s military campaign.
“As a Jew, as an American, and as a human it is my moral responsibility to stand against the genocide of Palestinians by the Israeli government,” she said in a statement published by Jewish Voice for Peace.
Israel has rejected accusations that its military campaign in Gaza constitutes genocide.
Jewish Voice for Peace said other participants included actors Elliot Page and Cynthia Nixon, musicians Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker, comedian Sarah Sherman, author Glennon Doyle, former US intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, and several elected officials and political candidates.
The organisation said Manning, Doyle, actor Debra Winger, and several others were also among those arrested.
Demonstration Coincides With Netanyahu’s UN Address
The protest unfolded as Netanyahu delivered his address to the UN General Assembly.
Dozens of delegates walked out of the chamber as the Israeli leader began speaking, according to the Guardian.
Netanyahu used his address to defend Israel’s conduct and criticise governments that have accused his administration of violating international law or have moved towards recognising a Palestinian state.
The demonstration outside the UN was one of several protests in New York surrounding Netanyahu’s visit.
Sarandon and Einbinder have both previously spoken publicly in support of Palestinians.
Sarandon said earlier this month that her political statements had continued to affect her acting career.
Einbinder has also said she considers speaking publicly about the treatment of Palestinians more important than potential consequences for her career.
Neither the NYPD nor the reports available immediately after the demonstration specified whether Sarandon and Einbinder faced charges beyond their arrests during the roadway protest.
