NYC Council Members, Actors Arrested At Netanyahu Protest

NEW YORK CITY— Hundreds of protesters blocked a Midtown Manhattan street Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to address the United Nations General Assembly, leading to the arrests of multiple demonstrators.

Among those arrested were Democratic congressional nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier; City Council members Chi Ossé, Alexa Avilés and Jennifer Gutiérrez; Assembly Member Emily Gallagher; New York Senate-elect Aber Kawas; and state legislative candidates Christian Celeste Tate, David Orkin and Illapa Sairitupac.

Actors and advocates Susan Sarandon, Hannah Einbinder and Linda Sarsour were also among those arrested during the demonstration.

Police moved into the demonstration after protesters refused to leave the roadway. Officers arrested those who remained, according to police.

The protest, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, brought elected officials, congressional candidates, actors and activists into the street near First Avenue and East 39th Street.

Protesters called for an end to U.S. military support for Israel and accountability for Netanyahu over Israel’s war in Gaza.

Netanyahu has faced an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to the Gaza conflict.

Israel rejects the allegations and states its military campaign targets Hamas following the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

“It is right to rebel, Netanyahu go to hell,” more than 200 protesters chanted in unison.

The protesters sat in the roadway for more than an hour as Netanyahu prepared to speak at the U.N. Some held signs opposing the war in Gaza and U.S. weapons transfers to Israel.

What Happened Inside The U.N.?

Dozens of delegates walked out of the General Assembly hall as Netanyahu took the podium. Some delegates booed as he began speaking, while his supporters responded by chanting “Am Yisrael Chai,” a Hebrew phrase meaning “the nation of Israel lives.”

Netanyahu criticized the delegates who left and called the walkout “mind-blowing hypocrisy.”

He said Israel had defended other countries by confronting Iran’s nuclear program and praised President Trump as Israel’s “no greater partner.”

The Trump administration has announced a planned $2.8 billion arms package for Israel that includes 40,000 2,000-pound bombs, according to U.S. officials. The package includes 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs.

Most of the purchase would use U.S. foreign military financing, meaning American government funds would finance the weapons.

The proposed transfer has drawn criticism because similar large bombs have been used in Gaza and can cause extensive damage in populated areas.

The speech came hours after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the assembly. Abbas described Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank as part of what he called “a malicious colonial scheme” aimed at forcing Palestinians from their homeland.

He also said he supported a future Palestinian state alongside Israel, describing it as a democratic, nonmilitarized state governed by the rule of law and human rights.

Where Was Mamdani?

Minutes before Netanyahu began speaking, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a wordless video showing him planting an olive tree and sharing dinner with Palestinian families from Gaza at Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence.

The video ended with a caption from Mamdani: “May peace be our future.”

Mamdani did not join the street protest against Netanyahu.

Mamdani has said New Yorkers have a constitutional right to protest while distancing himself from calls for demonstrations during the U.N. gathering.

He has previously called Netanyahu a war criminal and said he does not have the legal authority as mayor to arrest him.

“He’s the architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians,” Mamdani said

The Israeli prime minister has accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas and encouraging unrest against Jewish New Yorkers.

Mamdani has rejected those accusations and pointed to the International Criminal Court warrant against Netanyahu.

Netanyahu had said before his speech that he planned to address Mamdani, who has emerged as one of his most vocal critics in New York.