Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder among 104 arrested at New York Gaza protest

Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon and Emmy-winning actor Hannah Einbinder were among more than 100 people arrested during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday (24 September).

The demonstration took place as Netanyahu was preparing to address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

It was organised by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), which said more than 400 Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese New Yorkers took part in the sit-in. JVP said 104 people were arrested, including Sarandon and Einbinder.

The figure is higher than the initial reports of at least 30 arrests. The New York Police Department (NYPD) did not immediately publish an official figure in its publicly available newsroom material.

The police department had previously said it expected multiple demonstrations each day during the General Assembly and would facilitate lawful First Amendment activity while enforcing laws against violence, property destruction and other offences.

Protesters blocked road near UN headquarters

The protest took place around 39th Street and First Avenue, close to the UN headquarters. Demonstrators wore white T-shirts and carried signs including “Fund People Not Bombs”, “Stop Arming Israel” and “End the Genocide”, according to JVP.

The NYPD told local and international media that officers responded to an unscheduled demonstration after protesters blocked an intersection. Officers from the department's Community Affairs Bureau warned participants to leave, but those who continued blocking the road were taken into custody.

Sarandon was filmed being handcuffed and led away by police. Einbinder, known for her role as Ava Daniels in the HBO series Hacks, was also detained.

JVP identified several other public figures among those arrested, including Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, New York City Council member Chi Ossé, writer and activist Glennon Doyle and former US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.

Other celebrities reported as attending the demonstration included Elliot Page, Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Sherman, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker. JVP said several elected officials and political candidates were also among those detained.

Actors have spoken publicly about Gaza

Einbinder has previously spoken publicly about Palestinian rights and US policy towards Israel.

While being arrested, she said she regarded participation in the demonstration as a responsibility and referred to the situation in Gaza as genocide. Her comments reflected her own position and were made during the protest.

Sarandon has also repeatedly criticised Israel's military campaign in Gaza and expressed support for Palestinians.

Earlier in September, during the Venice International Film Festival, Sarandon said she believed her political views had affected her acting opportunities. She said she had recently lost film work because agencies were telling people not to hire her.

Protest coincided with Netanyahu's UN address

The demonstration took place shortly before Netanyahu delivered his address to the General Assembly.

The Israeli prime minister defended Israel's military actions and rejected allegations of genocide in Gaza. During his speech, dozens of delegates left the General Assembly chamber as he began speaking.

Israel has rejected allegations that it is committing genocide in Gaza and says its military operations are directed against Hamas.

The UN General Assembly gathering has brought heightened security measures to New York.

The NYPD said before the meeting that thousands of officers would be deployed around the UN headquarters, supported by specialised units including counter-terrorism officers, aviation, harbour, bomb-squad and canine units.

The department also said protests were expected throughout the General Assembly and that its Community Affairs Bureau had been working with protest organisers on logistics and permits.

Demonstration organised by Jewish Voice for Peace

JVP said the protest was intended to demand an end to US military support for Israel and an end to what the organisation described as genocide in Gaza.

The organisation said participants included Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese New Yorkers, as well as descendants of Holocaust survivors. It described the demonstration as a sit-in intended to draw attention to the war in Gaza and US support for Israel.

The arrests occurred amid heightened political and diplomatic attention surrounding Netanyahu's visit to New York.

His appearance at the General Assembly was also accompanied by demonstrations elsewhere in the city, while the NYPD maintained an expanded security operation around the UN complex.

As of Thursday, the reported arrests related to the protest were for individuals who remained in the roadway after police warnings to leave, according to the NYPD's account reported by local media.

The circumstances and any subsequent charges for individual protesters will be determined through the relevant legal proceedings.