- Protesters gathered near UN headquarters ahead of Netanyahu's remarks, chanting and holding signs.
- NYPD began detaining protesters at around 1 p.m. after warnings, taking 103 people into custody.
- Video showed officers zip-tying Sarandon and Einbinder’s hands and directing them toward an NYPD bus.
- Other detainees included comedian Caleb Hearon, author Glennon Doyle, and congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier.
- Netanyahu delivered a defiant UN speech as he seeks reelection at home.
- Protesters chanted and wore shirts saying “Fund people not bombs” and held signs saying “Stop arming Israel” and “End the genocide.”
- Jewish Voice for Peace said it held the protest to “call on the world to stop arming Israel and to end the genocide in Gaza.”
- A CNN team saw a heavy police presence with demonstrators remaining peaceful but blocking traffic.
- Other celebrities seen at the demonstration included actress and political activist Cynthia Nixon, playwright Tony Kushner, photographer Nan Goldin, and poet Eileen Myles.
More than 100 protesters, including celebrities like Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder, were detained by the NYPD during a sit-in protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside the UN. The protest aimed to highlight calls to “stop arming Israel” and “end the genocide in Gaza.”56
The NYPD reported that it took 103 people into custody as officers attempted to disperse the crowd blocking traffic on First Avenue. Video footage captured officers zip-tying the hands of Sarandon and Einbinder as they were escorted to an NYPD bus. Other notable figures detained included comedian Caleb Hearon and author Glennon Doyle, according to Jewish Voice for Peace, the organization that organized the protest.238
Inside the UN, Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech defending Israel’s military actions in Gaza, claiming that without his actions against Iran, “We’d all be dead.” His remarks were met with a mixed response, as many diplomats walked out in protest. Netanyahu’s speech was aimed at Israeli voters ahead of next month’s elections, where he faces scrutiny over his handling of the ongoing conflict and international relations.
Experts suggest that Netanyahu’s inability to secure meetings with world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, during this visit could damage his image at home. Natan Sachs, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, noted that not meeting Trump was a “big, big miss” for Netanyahu at a critical time.
“Jewish Voice for Peace, which organized the protest, said it aimed to 'call on the world to stop arming Israel and to end the genocide in Gaza.' Other detainees included comedian Caleb Hearon, author Glennon Doyle, and New York congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier.”
