Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed allegations of genocide in Gaza as the “biggest lie of the century” during a combative address to the UN General Assembly, while condemning what he called “moral cowards.”
As Netanyahu approached the rostrum, a mass walkout took place, leaving a large number of seats visibly empty for the rest of the session.
Delegates jeered and booed as Netanyahu began speaking, while members of his own team stood to applaud. The disruption prompted the session’s presiding officer to call repeatedly for order.
“If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left this hall, please do so now,” Netanyahu said.
He then delivered a defiant defence of Israel’s right to wage war against Iran, addressing world leaders amid intense international criticism of his government’s actions.
Raising his voice for emphasis, Netanyahu said launching an attack on Iran “was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make.”
“In defending itself, Israel is also defending many of the countries whose delegates just left this hall,” Netanyahu said. “In fact, I want you to know that many of their leaders even thank us privately for taking out Iran’s nukes.”
Netanyahu also criticised Britain and France over their former colonial empires, accusing them of hypocrisy when they described Israel as colonialist.
“They accuse Israel, tiny Israel, of colonialism — some colonialism,” he said. “And who’s accusing us? Among them are people in Britain and in France. For God’s sakes, they invented the term.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s right to wage war against Iran in a defiant address to world leaders at the UN General Assembly
Delegates jeered and booed after many walked out, prompting the session’s presiding officer to demand order
Members of Netanyahu’s team stood and applauded during his UN speech
Turning to violence against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu described the Israeli youths accused of carrying out attacks as “juvenile delinquents.”
“What the media cover is a handful of young juvenile delinquents, about 150 in number, who go or throw stones, who chop down olive trees,” Netanyahu said.
“I can’t stand that. I won’t stand for vigilantism,” he added.
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He also claimed that “many Jews” no longer felt safe in New York following the election of left-wing mayor Zohran Mamdani.
“Since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York,” Netanyahu told Mamdani. “You falsely, repeatedly accuse Israel of genocide.”
Netanyahu’s address followed a week of speeches in which world leaders accused Israel of genocide and war crimes in Gaza.
The Palestinian Mission to the UN had urged representatives from as many of the 193 member states as possible to bring staff into the assembly hall and “collectively walk out of the assembly” when the Israeli prime minister was announced.
“This will send a clear message to Netanyahu and his government that no one is willing to aid, abet, or be complicit in its genocide and war crimes and illegal occupation, which all peace-loving states and peoples demand must come to an end,” the message said.
In past years, Netanyahu has used his General Assembly speech to both denounce the United Nations as biased and make Israel’s case to world leaders.
His address – scheduled for prime time in Israel – is the cornerstone of an abbreviated trip to the United States unfolding under the shadow of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani calling him a ‘war criminal’ and pushing for his arrest.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters
Mamdani has acknowledged that New York does not have the authority to execute an International Criminal Court warrant but urged federal authorities to do so.
Israel has grown increasingly isolated throughout the war in Gaza. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping 251.
At least 73,922 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s subsequent offensive, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government whose numbers are generally considered reliable by the international community.
A ceasefire agreed to by Israel and Hamas last October halted the heaviest of the fighting and led to the release of the remaining hostages yet further steps have since stalled.
Israel maintains control of most of Gaza and continues to carry out airstrikes on Palestinians near military-held zones.
Hamas has not disarmed or relinquished power and there has been no progress toward reconstruction in the mostly destroyed territory.