Hollywood stars detained during anti-Netanyahu protest outside UN

Hollywood stars Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder were among more than 100 people detained during a protest outside the United Nations in New York as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to address the General Assembly, ***Cape {town} Etc ***reports.

The demonstration, organised by Jewish Voice for Peace, brought protesters onto the streets near the UN on Thursday, with participants reportedly calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza and an end to US military support for Israel.

Sarandon, known for films including Thelma & Louise, Dead Man Walking and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, was filmed being handcuffed and led away by New York Police Department officers. Einbinder, the Emmy-winning Hacks actor, was also detained, along with Devil Wears Prada 2 actor, Caleb Hearon

Jewish Voice for Peace said 104 people were arrested during the demonstration. The NYPD, however, did not immediately provide its own total, saying officers had taken multiple people into custody after warnings were ignored.

Dozens of protesters, including actor Susan Sarandon, were detained by police in New York after staging a sit-in in the roadway to demand an end to US arms supplies to Israel https://t.co/BUkaACQemY pic.twitter.com/PM7fpJdaLv

— Reuters (@Reuters) September 25, 2026

According to the NYPD, officers responded to what it described as an ‘unscheduled demonstration’ after protesters blocked an intersection. Police said members of its Community Affairs Bureau warned those taking part to leave.

‘They continued to block the intersection. Multiple individuals who didn’t comply were taken into custody,’

– NYPD spokesperson.

The protest group gave a different emphasis to the events, describing the action as a mass sit-in outside the UN. Jewish Voice for Peace said hundreds of people participated, with protesters reportedly carrying messages including ‘Stop Arming Israel’ and ‘End the Genocide’.

The group said the demonstration included Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese New Yorkers, as well as activists, public figures and elected officials. Among those detained were New York City Council member Chi Ossé and Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier.

Sarandon has continued to speak out

Sarandon’s detention comes against the backdrop of years of outspoken criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

The actor recently spoke about the professional consequences she believes she has faced because of her position. At the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, Sarandon reportedly said she had lost film opportunities because agencies were discouraging people from hiring her.

‘I’ve still had movies taken away recently because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still,’

– Susan Sarandon.

She also said she believed public understanding of Israel and Palestine had changed, while arguing that some firmly held views remained within the entertainment industry. Her appearance at the New York protest therefore adds another public moment to an increasingly visible intersection between Hollywood, activism and the genocide in Gaza.

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ star Caleb Hearon gets arrested by NYPD while protesting against Netanyahu and ‘famine’ in Gaza.

The actor was arrested alongside Susan Sarandon, Hannah Einbinder and over 100 activists who blocked a road near the UN. pic.twitter.com/QqO9WYt1Zl

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) September 25, 2026

Protest outside as Netanyahu addressed the UN

The demonstration unfolded as Netanyahu prepared to speak inside the General Assembly.

The protest was one part of a highly charged day at the UN, where delegates from several countries walked out as the Israeli prime minister began his address. Netanyahu used his speech to defend Israel while criticising countries including Britain and France, which have moved towards recognising Palestine.

Dozens of U.N. delegates walked out as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Thursday.

Netanyahu called those who left “moral cowards” and said those who remained and felt similarly should leave.… pic.twitter.com/Nb2UJlWjhP

— TIME (@TIME) September 24, 2026

Outside the building, protesters were demanding that the US stop supplying military support to Israel and calling for an end to what Jewish Voice for Peace described as genocide in Gaza.

The competing scenes – demonstrators being led away by police outside while diplomats left the chamber during Netanyahu’s speech – highlighted the deep divisions surrounding Israel’s conduct and the international response to it.

For stars like Sarandon and Einbinder, the protest also underscored how their political positions have moved beyond statements made from film festivals and award stages and into direct participation in demonstrations on the streets of New York.

---

Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!

---

Also Read:

SA’s foreign policy takes centre stage as Lamola engages US audience

**Picture: **@WearThePeaceCo / X

The post Hollywood stars detained during anti-Netanyahu protest outside UN appeared first on Cape Town ETC.