Over 100 Arrested in Protests Against Netanyahu, Including Oscar-Winning Actress and Politician

Darwin, September 25: Police arrested at least 100 people, including Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside the United Nations headquarters. The demonstration took place on Thursday (September 24), ahead of Netanyahu’s address to the UN General Assembly. CNN reported.

Among those arrested were Emmy Award-winning actress Hannah Einbinder, Democratic congressional candidate Daria Liza Avila Chevalier, and New York City Council Member Chi Ossé.

Manijeh Moradian, a 50-year-old university professor of Iranian and Jewish heritage who participated in the protest, said, “What is being done in Gaza is the destruction of an entire society—in our name, with our tax money. It is our responsibility to speak out against it. And Netanyahu has no right to use the UN stage to justify these atrocities.”

The protest was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, a pro-Palestinian Jewish rights organization. Around 200 people gathered outside the UN headquarters. They wore matching white T-shirts bearing slogans such as “Fund People, Not Bombs,” “No War” and “Free Palestine.”

When protesters blocked the road, police instructed them over loudspeakers to move away. Although many moved onto the sidewalk, a core group remained seated in the street, chanting slogans against Netanyahu. Police officers arrived at the scene on bicycles and surrounded the demonstrators.

Police subsequently removed the protesters one by one. Their hands were restrained behind their backs using zip ties before they were placed on buses. Protesters continued chanting against Netanyahu from outside the buses.

Oscar-winning American actress Susan Sarandon has long been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights. She has consistently spoken out against Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

Following her arrest, Hannah Einbinder drew attention from her followers through a message posted on her Instagram Story. She wrote that if photographs of her and her friends being arrested while protesting Netanyahu’s “shameful visit” to New York could capture anyone’s attention, that attention should be dedicated to the “horrific and devastating genocide” taking place against the people of Palestine and southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, during his address to the UN General Assembly, Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions in the Middle East. However, representatives from 77 countries walked out of the assembly hall during his speech.

As Netanyahu took the stage, coordinated protests and walkouts began inside the hall. After numerous representatives left, most of the seats were left empty. Boos were also heard in opposition to Netanyahu’s address. The president of the UN General Assembly was seen calling for order several times.

The walkout also triggered widespread reactions in the Israeli media. Several Israeli news outlets described the incident as an unprecedented or dramatic diplomatic protest against Israel. Channel 14 referred to it as “a spit in Israel’s face.”

Sources: CNN and Reuters