Police detained about 30 protesters, including actors Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder and elected officials, during a demonstration outside the United Nations as Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to speak at the General Assembly. The rally of roughly 200 people, organized by Jewish Voice For Peace, featured matching white T-shirts and slogans calling for aid to people rather than military action. A core group remained seated after police ordered a dispersal; officers used zip ties to restrain detainees and escorted them to police buses while chants continued.
About 30 Detained as Actors and Politicians Protest Netanyahu Outside the UN
Actor Susan Sarandon is detained during a protest ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations 81st General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 24, 2026. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
NEW YORK, Sept 24 (Reuters) — Police detained at least 30 demonstrators, including well-known actors and elected officials, after a protest outside United Nations headquarters as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to address the General Assembly.
Among those taken into custody were Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon, Emmy winner Hannah Einbinder, Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and New York City Council member Chi Osse.
Actor Susan Sarandon is detained during a protest ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations 81st General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 24, 2026. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado
What's being done to Gaza, the obliteration of an entire society, in our name, with our tax dollars, this is our responsibility to speak out against, and Netanyahu has no right to use the platform of the United Nations to justify these atrocities
said Manijeh Moradian, a 50-year-old university professor of Iranian and Jewish heritage who joined the demonstration.
The rally, organized by Jewish Voice For Peace, drew roughly 200 people who wore matching white T-shirts bearing slogans such as Fund People Not Bombs, No War and Free Palestine. Protesters briefly blocked traffic outside the UN and were ordered to disperse by police over loudspeakers.
Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier is detained alongside another protester during a protest on the day of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations 81st General Assembly in New York City, US, September 24, 2026. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
While many stepped back to sidewalks, a core group remained seated on the pavement and continued chanting anti-Netanyahu slogans as officers on bicycles surrounded the demonstration. Police then removed protesters one by one, restrained their hands with zip ties and escorted them onto police buses. Activists chanted "Netanyahu go to hell" as they were led away.
Inside the General Assembly Hall, Netanyahu defended Israel's actions in the region, seeking to blunt growing international criticism and political pressure ahead of elections he could lose. Dozens of delegates walked out of the session in protest.
(Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova; Editing by Stephen Coates)
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