Susan Sarandon arrested at protest against Israel
In a stark display of activism, Hollywood figures Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder found themselves in the custody of New York City police while participating in a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The demonstration, part of the larger Jewish Voice for Peace assembly, gathered outside the United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan. Hundreds of demonstrators were outside the building as Netanyahu delivered an address on Thursday, September 24th. The protest was a powerful expression of solidarity and deep concern over the ongoing military actions in Gaza.
The focus of the demonstration was a passionate demand for accountability regarding the conflict, and the moment captured by press agencies highlighted the tension between public demonstration and law enforcement. Footage showed the celebrated actors being led away by police.
Sarandon was seen walking away in handcuffs, wearing a t-shirt that boldly read, “Fund People Not Bombs”, underscoring the core message of their protest. Einbinder, equally vocal, was captured shouting to onlookers, “Netanyahu out of New York!”
The incident brought attention to the broader context of the demonstration, which involved roughly 100 protesters arrested by NYPD officers. The protest organizers, Jewish Voice for Peace, voiced serious concerns, accusing the United Nations of “playing host to a war criminal”.
The police response also offered insight into the situation. An NYPD spokesperson confirmed that officers had responded to an “unscheduled demonstration” that was obstructing an intersection. While community affairs members issued warnings, participants continued to block the intersection, leading to the subsequent arrests of multiple individuals who did not comply with instructions.
Amidst the arrests, Einbinder shared a powerful reflection on the situation. She commented on the photographs of herself and her friends being arrested, stating that if these images drew any attention, it should be to the reality of the conflict. She emphasized the need to focus attention on “the devastating genocidal war Israel is waging against the people of Palestine and Southern Lebanon – to the settler attacks, the home demolitions, the bombing of people as they sleep; to the crimes that happen every single day but garner almost no international press coverage.”
This event underscores a growing trend where public figures leverage their platforms to amplify causes. Sarandon and Einbinder join a number of celebrities who have recently spoken out in support of the Palestinian cause, demonstrating how personal advocacy intersects with global political realities.
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