Video circulating from the scene showed Hannah Einbinder being led away in handcuffs, while reports also confirmed that Susan Sarandon was taken into custody during the demonstration.
TheWrap reported that around 100 people were taken into custody, citing PIX11, and said comedian Caleb Hearon and New York City Council Member Jen Gutiérrez were also among those detained.
Einbinder, who has repeatedly spoken publicly in support of Palestinian rights, told reporters before the protest that she felt a moral obligation to participate “as a Jew, as an American, and as a human being.”
Sarandon has also been a prominent participant in pro-Palestinian demonstrations in recent years.
Hundreds Block Streets Near the UN
The demonstration began before Netanyahu’s scheduled appearance at the General Assembly and quickly disrupted traffic around the U.N. complex.
The Guardian reported that hundreds of Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian, Lebanese and other New Yorkersparticipated. Protesters sat in the street for more than an hour, forcing some official motorcades traveling toward the United Nations to be diverted.
NYPD officers later moved in and began making arrests.
The protest also included elected officials, political candidates and other public figures.
Netanyahu’s Speech Draws Protest Inside and Outside the UN
The scenes outside the United Nations were mirrored by protest inside the General Assembly Hall.
As Netanyahu approached the podium, dozens of delegates walked out, while other delegates remained and applauded him. Reuters video from inside the hall showed the contrasting reactions.
Netanyahu had said before the speech that he intended to defend Israel’s military actions and challenge international criticism of his government. Israel rejects allegations that its military campaign amounts to genocide and says its operations are directed against Hamas.
Thursday’s demonstrations were part of a broader series of protests surrounding Netanyahu’s visit to New York during U.N. General Assembly week.
For Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder, the protest moved beyond public statements and into direct civil disobedience, making their arrests one of the most visible moments of the demonstrations outside the United Nations.
Sources: Variety; TheWrap; The Guardian; Reuters.
By NJ RADAR Team