NEW YORK: Actor Susan Sarandon was arrested on Thursday alongside Hacks star Hannah Einbinder during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside the United Nations headquarters.
The actors joined a Jewish Voice for Peace demonstration attended by hundreds of people as Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan.
Footage showed police leading Sarandon away in handcuffs. Einbinder was also taken into custody and shouted, “Netanyahu out of New York!” as officers escorted her from the demonstration.
Police said officers responded to an unscheduled protest that was blocking an intersection. New York Police Department personnel warned participants to leave before arresting those who remained.
Sarandon wore a shirt that read “Fund People Not Bombs” during the demonstration. Einbinder later addressed her arrest in an Instagram Story.
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She said she hoped images of the detentions would direct attention towards Israel’s military actions in Gaza and southern Lebanon rather than the protesters themselves.
The demonstration opposed Netanyahu’s presence in New York and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Jewish Voice for Peace organised the action outside the UN while the Israeli prime minister delivered his address inside the building.
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Sarandon had not publicly commented on her arrest at the time of the report. Earlier this month, she said her support for Palestine had cost her film roles.
The arrests formed part of a broader police response to demonstrators who remained in the intersection after officers issued warnings.
