At least 30 actors, politicians arrested in anti-Netanyahu protest outside UN

At least 30 individuals, among them actors and politicians, were arrested during a protest held outside the United Nations headquarters on Thursday, according to Reuters. The demonstration, organized by the Jewish Voice for Peace, took place just hours before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to address the UN General Assembly.The protest was marked by over 200 participants, dressed in white T-shirts displaying messages such as "Fund people not bombs," "No war," and "Free Palestine."

Despite police efforts, the protest organizers managed to block traffic in the area, leading to the deployment of police officers on bicycles to confront the demonstrators.The arrests occurred as the protesters remained seated on the pavement, continuing to chant slogans in opposition to Netanyahu. Upon their arrest, activists were handcuffed and transported to police vehicles.

One protester, Manijeh Moradian, an Iranian and Jewish heritage university professor, expressed the protesters' responsibility to condemn Israel's actions in Gaza, stating that taxpayers' money was being used to fund the destruction of an entire society. Inside the General Assembly, Netanyahu defended Israel's military operations, receiving criticism from international delegates who walked out of the hall in protest of his speech.