What Happened at the UN Protest?
Actors Susan Sarandon and “Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder were detained by New York police Thursday during a protest outside the United Nations, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was addressing the General Assembly. Police say roughly 100 demonstrators were taken into custody after refusing to clear the area near UN headquarters.
The protest, organized by the group Jewish Voice for Peace, drew several other public figures, including actors Elliot Page, Cynthia Nixon, Caleb Hearon, and Sarah Sherman, along with musicians Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus and whistleblower Chelsea Manning. It’s not confirmed whether all of them were formally arrested or simply detained and released; several outlets noted that reporting on exactly who was arrested versus who was present has varied.
Why Was Netanyahu’s Speech Controversial?
Inside the UN chamber, several delegations walked out as Netanyahu began speaking, following a pattern seen throughout the week as other world leaders criticized Israel’s conduct in Gaza. Netanyahu opened his remarks by directly addressing those who left the room, questioning their reaction to Iran’s treatment of its own civilians.
The protest and speech landed against a broader political backdrop. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has previously said he would direct police to arrest Netanyahu under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, and has publicly called him a war criminal in connection with Israel’s actions in Gaza. Netanyahu denies those characterizations and has said Israel’s military campaign is a response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.
What You Should Know
• This wasn’t Sarandon’s first arrest at a protest. She has a long history of participating in demonstrations, including a 2018 immigration protest and a 2024 pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York.
• Netanyahu faces an election next month. Coverage has framed the vote as a referendum on his handling of the security failures connected to the October 7 attacks and his broader wartime leadership.
• Outlets have covered this differently. Some coverage has emphasized the war crimes allegations and Mamdani’s comments, while other outlets have focused more on the election context and diplomatic reaction — worth keeping in mind if you’re comparing sources.
• Details on formal charges are still developing. As of this writing, it hasn’t been confirmed whether Sarandon and Einbinder face charges or were released without them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Susan Sarandon arrested or just detained?
Reports vary. Several outlets describe her as detained and later released; it’s not confirmed whether formal charges followed.
Who else was at the protest?
Reported attendees include Elliot Page, Cynthia Nixon, Caleb Hearon, Sarah Sherman, Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, and Chelsea Manning.
Why was Netanyahu at the UN?
He addressed the UN General Assembly as Israel’s prime minister, during a week when several other world leaders criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza.
What is the ICC warrant Mamdani referenced?
The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant connected to Netanyahu’s conduct of the war in Gaza; Mamdani said earlier this year he’d direct NYPD to act on it if Netanyahu entered the city.
Is Netanyahu facing an election soon?
Yes. Coverage describes an upcoming election widely framed as a referendum on his handling of the war and Israel’s security failures around October 7, 2023.
Has Netanyahu responded to the war crimes allegations?
He has denied the characterization and describes Israel’s actions as a response to the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
The Bottom Line
Thursday’s protest and detentions reflect a much larger, ongoing debate over Israel’s war in Gaza, playing out both inside the UN chamber and on the streets outside it. The presence of well-known actors and musicians drew extra attention to a demonstration that was one of several confrontations tied to Netanyahu’s UN visit this week.