Actors Hannah Einbinder and Susan Sarandon were briefly taken into custody in New York City as they joined an anti-Israel protest targeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of his address to the United Nations General Assembly.
According to Mediaite, photos and videos posted online showed the two actresses being escorted away from the demonstration in handcuffs shortly before Netanyahu took the stage. It remained unclear whether they were formally arrested or simply detained and released, underscoring the increasingly theatrical nature of celebrity activism surrounding the IsraelHamas conflict.
One circulating video even appears to show Einbinder, star of the HBO series Hacks, pausing to pose for a photograph at the request of one of the officers escorting her. Both Einbinder and Sarandon, long-time critics of Israel and vocal supporters of the Palestinian cause, wore matching shirts emblazoned with the slogan, FUND PEOPLE NOT BOMBS.
Einbinder, who is Jewish, has used high-profile entertainment platforms to advance her political views, declaring during her Emmy Awards acceptance speech last year, F*ck ICE, and free Palestine! Sarandon, whose activism has frequently aligned with the far-left, was dropped by her talent agency in 2023 after she labeled Israels actions in the region a war crime during a New York City protest.
Inside the United Nations chamber, Netanyahus appearance drew its own display of hostility as dozens of delegates walked out in protest, some reportedly chanting and booing as they exited. The prime minister responded with characteristic bluntness, opening his remarks by saying, If there are any other moral cowards who havent left this hall, please do so now. Thank you very much.
Netanyahu then turned his fire on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, denouncing him as antisemitic and declaring, Shame on you. He continued, Shame on you for distorting the facts. Shame on you for advocating victim and aggressor. Shame on you for spitting in the face of truth.
The Israeli leader accused Mamdani of fostering an environment in which Jews feel increasingly unsafe in Americas largest city. Mr. Mamdani, since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York. They talk to me. They tell me. This isnt the city we remember. It changed so quickly. Now its no wonder. You praise criminals convicted of supporting Hamas.
Netanyahu further blasted the mayors associations, stating, You count as friends people like Hasan Piker, who said America deserved 9/11. America deserved 9/11. Some friends you have. Mamdani had previously postured about the possibility of arresting Netanyahu upon his arrival in New York, but has since conceded he lacks the authority to do so, instead calling on President Donald Trump to take action himself a demand that underscores how some on the left remain more interested in criminalizing Israeli self-defense than confronting terrorism.
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