Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Hollywood Stars Sarandon, Einbinder Detained at Anti-Netanyahu UN Protest
People gathered outside the United Nations in New York to protest Benjamin Netanyahu and the war in Gaza.
The protesters wanted the war to stop and opposed U.S. military support for Israel.
Jewish Voice for Peace organized a large sit-in on city streets.
Police said the crowd blocked an intersection and warned people to leave.
Officers then took many protesters into custody, including actors Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder.
Reports disagree about how many people were detained, with estimates ranging from at least 30 to more than 100.
Other entertainers, including Elliot Page and Cynthia Nixon, also joined the demonstration.
Inside the United Nations, Netanyahu defended Israel and criticized countries that had moved toward recognizing Palestine.
Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder were detained during a protest outside the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Jewish Voice for Peace organized the sit-in, which called for an end to the Gaza war and U.S. military support for Israel.
Reports differed on the number detained: organizers said more than 100, while Reuters, citing police, reported at least 30 arrests.
Police said demonstrators blocked an intersection after warnings to leave; protesters said their action opposed Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
The protest coincided with Benjamin Netanyahu’s United Nations speech, during which dozens of delegates reportedly walked out.
- Who
- Protesters, including Susan Sarandon, Hannah Einbinder and other entertainers; Benjamin Netanyahu; Jewish Voice for Peace; and New York Police Department officers.
- What
- A mass sit-in protesting Netanyahu, the Gaza war and U.S. military support for Israel led to numerous detentions.
- When
- Thursday, ahead of and during Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly.
- Where
- Outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City, with related events inside the General Assembly.
- Why
- Protesters demanded an end to the Gaza war and U.S. military support for Israel; police said they acted because demonstrators blocked an intersection.
Protesters
Police and Netanyahu
Purpose of the protest
Protesters
Protesters called for an end to the war in Gaza and U.S. military support for Israel, using slogans including “End the Genocide” and “Stop Arming Israel.”
Police and Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions in his speech and rejected accusations of colonialism while criticizing opponents and countries moving to recognize Palestine.
Reason for detentions
Protesters
Demonstrators staged a sit-in to publicly oppose Netanyahu and Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
Police and Netanyahu
Police said the demonstration was unscheduled, blocked an intersection and continued after officers warned participants to leave.
Number detained
Protesters
Jewish Voice for Peace said more than 100 people were arrested.
Police and Netanyahu
Reuters, citing police, reported at least 30 arrests, while the New York Police Department did not immediately confirm an exact figure.
- Organizer
- Jewish Voice for Peace
- Location
- Outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City
- Participants
- Organizers said about 400 people took part in the sit-in
- Reported detentions
- Jewish Voice for Peace said more than 100 people were arrested; Reuters, citing police, reported at least 30 arrests
- Named detainees
- Susan Sarandon, Hannah Einbinder, Darializa Avila Chevalier and New York City Council member Chi Ossé
- Protest slogans
- “End the Genocide,” “Stop Arming Israel,” “Free Palestine” and “Fund People Not Bombs”
- Concurrent event
- Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly, where dozens of delegates reportedly walked out
