Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon and Hacks star Hannah Einbinder were among protesters detained by police in New York on Thursday during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The protest, organised by Jewish Voice for Peace, took place as Netanyahu prepared to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Footage from AFP showed New York Police Department officers handcuffing Sarandon and taking her away from the demonstration. The New York Post also reported that Einbinder was detained and removed from the protest.

The demonstrators staged a sit-in on city streets, carrying banners with messages including “Stop Arming Israel” and “End the Genocide”.

There was no immediate response from the NYPD to AFP’s requests for comment on the reported detentions.

The demonstration coincided with Netanyahu’s address to the UN General Assembly, during which he defended Israel’s position on the war in Gaza and criticised countries including Britain and France for their recent decisions to recognise a Palestinian state.

As Netanyahu began his speech, dozens of delegates reportedly walked out of the General Assembly hall.

Sarandon, known for films including Thelma & Louise, Dead Man Walking and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has previously spoken publicly about the war in Gaza and Palestinian rights.

At the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, the actress said she believed her outspoken views had affected her career, claiming that she had recently lost film opportunities because of pressure within the industry.

She said, however, that she had found support among people who shared her views and was comfortable continuing to speak out.