Hundreds of protesters gathered near the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday, before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
The demonstration, led by Jewish Voice for Peace, included a sit-in on First Avenue that disrupted traffic near the UN headquarters.

Participants held signs and chanted slogans calling for an end to the war in Gaza and a halt to arms supplies to Israel. Some protesters wore shirts bearing the message, “Fund people, not bombs.”
New York residents who took part in the protest included Jews, Palestinians, Iranians and Lebanese, along with activists and public figures.
Police intervened after the protesters continued blocking the road and detained several participants, including American Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon.
Reuters images showed Sarandon being detained, while other footage showed large numbers of protesters holding a sit-in near the UN headquarters.
Protests coincide with Netanyahu’s address
The protests took place as Netanyahu prepared to deliver his address to the UN General Assembly amid continuing international criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Before taking the UN podium, Netanyahu had said he would use his speech to defend Israel’s military operations and respond to criticism directed at his government.
Meanwhile, protesters in New York called for an end to the war in Gaza and a halt to arms shipments to Israel.
Additional protests were also scheduled to take place in Manhattan during the day, coinciding with Netanyahu’s visit and his address to the United Nations.