Benjamin Netanyahu’s address at United Nations headquarters in New York City on Thursday drew significant protests outside the venue, with hundreds of demonstrators blocking streets and disrupting traffic for over an hour. According to organizers, more than 100 people were arrested during the demonstrations, though the New York Police Department had not immediately confirmed final arrest numbers as of early afternoon.
The protests included Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian, and Lebanese New Yorkers, along with several elected officials, political candidates running in the November election, and entertainment industry figures. Demonstrators displayed banners calling to “end the genocide” and carried signs reading “Fund people not bombs,” while chanting slogans such as “Let Gaza live.” Among those detained were actors Hannah Einbinder, Susan Sarandon, and Debra Winger, whistleblower Chelsea Manning, model Indya Moore, and activist Linda Sarsour. Several New York City and state elected officials and candidates were also arrested, including city council members Chi Ossé and Tiffany Cabán.
Organizers characterized the demonstrations as reflecting broader shifts in American public opinion regarding Israel’s military actions. Beth Miller of Jewish Voice for Peace Action, which coordinated the primary protest, stated that participants were communicating opposition to what she characterized as genocide. Actor Hannah Einbinder, arrested during the demonstrations, called on the U.S. government to cease funding military support to Israel. Several candidates who won Democratic primary races earlier in the year while advocating for ending U.S. aid to Israel attended the protests, including Darializa Avila Chevalier from New York and Chris Rabb from Pennsylvania.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has previously used strong language regarding Netanyahu, stated he had no legal authority to order the Israeli prime minister’s arrest but reiterated that New Yorkers retained the right to protest. Mamdani said his administration would not discourage demonstrations while upholding residents’ freedom of assembly. The protests represented one of several demonstrations planned throughout the week in response to Netanyahu’s visit to the city.
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