Human-rights organizations have accused the United Nations of giving a platform to someone they call a war criminal, while several delegations walked out during Benjamin Netanyahu’s address.
25 Sep 2026
Police arrested approximately 100 protesters, including actors and politicians, outside United Nations headquarters in New York as demonstrators gathered against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of his address to the UN General Assembly.
The arrests included Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, Emmy-winning actor Hannah Einbinder, Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and New York City Council member Chi Osse.
The demonstration, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, attracted around 200 participants wearing matching white T-shirts bearing slogans such as “Fund people not bombs,” “No war” and “Free Palestine.”
Protesters blocked nearby traffic. After police issued an order to disperse over loudspeakers, some moved onto the sidewalks, while others remained seated on the pavement chanting, “Netanyahu go to hell.” Those who stayed were escorted to police buses.
“What is being done to Gaza—the destruction of an entire society—in our name and with our tax dollars makes it our responsibility to speak out. Netanyahu has no right to use the United Nations platform to justify these atrocities,” said Manijeh Moradian, a 50-year-old university professor of Iranian and Jewish heritage.
Inside the General Assembly hall, Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions in the Middle East as dozens of delegates walked out. The address came amid rising international criticism and ahead of Israel’s scheduled elections.
Separately, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered on the steps of the New York Public Library in Manhattan, waving Palestinian flags and holding signs that read “New York rejects Zionism” and “Palestine deserves freedom.”
Yitzchok Deutsch, a representative of Neturei Karta International, said Netanyahu was “using our religion and our identity to justify these crimes.”
Deutsch also thanked New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani “for his courage to do whatever he can to arrest” Netanyahu.
Protester Melissa Zuniga questioned why Netanyahu was permitted to address the UN “when he has an international warrant for his arrest.”
Also Read
- VOO vs. VTI: Deciding Between the S&P 500 and Total Market for Long-Term Growth
- Pakistan Moves to Issue Encrypted Phones to Senior Officials After Data Theft Reports
- Lula accuses Trump of seeking to ‘colonize’ Brazil and influence election in favor of Bolsonaro ally
- Astera Labs vs. Marvell Technology: Which Tech Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?