No, Netanyahu wasn’t arrested during his UN visit, but those protesting against him were

No, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not arrested while attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 24, 2026. Protests against Netanyahu, however, did take place, with dozens of individuals arrested in the city.

Several notable figures were among those arrested during sit-ins and protests blocking main roads leading to the UN headquarters. These included actress Susan Sarandon, activist Chelsea Manning, New York State Senate candidate Ibtehal, and New York City Council members such as Alexa Avilés, Linda Sarsour, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Chi Ossé, Darializa Avila-Chevalier, and Aber Kawas.

The protests, organized by groups like Jewish Voice for Peace, the Palestinian Youth Movement, and Democratic Socialists of America, aimed to condemn Israel's actions in Gaza and the ongoing war on Iran. Protesters carried signs reading "Fund people, not bombs" and called out Netanyahu's presence in New York City, describing him as a "war criminal."

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had promised during his campaign to arrest Netanyahu, subsequently stated that the city lacked legal authority to carry out such arrests. The mayor was criticized for his "performative nonsense," which some argued distracted from the NYPD's role in escorting Netanyahu to the UN and arresting protesters in the streets.