Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a confrontational address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, defending Israel’s recent military campaigns, rejecting allegations of genocide in Gaza, and labeling his opponents as "moral cowards." The speech triggered a walkout by dozens of delegations and drew sharp criticism from several world leaders and civil‑society groups.
Content of the address
Netanyahu framed Israel’s actions as a necessary response to threats from Iran, Hamas and other regional actors, asserting that striking Iran would have been “one of the easiest decisions” the country could make. He dismissed claims that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza as “the biggest lie of the century,” a phrasing reported by France 24. The prime minister also accused Qatar and Turkey of fueling the conflict and described settler violence in the occupied West Bank as the work of “juvenile delinquents," a characterization cited by Al Jazeera.
Targeting critics and the New York mayor
Among the many figures singled out, Netanyahu focused on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whom he called “the antisemitic mayor of New York” and accused of spreading “baseless lies.” The New York Times noted that Mamdani had earlier called for Netanyahu’s arrest and condemned Israeli actions as crimes against Palestinians. Mamdani later responded, accusing the Israeli leader of spreading “baseless lies” and of antisemitism himself.
Walkout inside the UN hall
As Netanyahu began his remarks, a coordinated walkout unfolded. Reuters reported that “dozens of delegates” left the chamber, while the BBC and CNN described the exodus as a “large number of diplomats.” The departures were led by representatives from several European, Arab and Latin American countries, underscoring the breadth of diplomatic displeasure with Israel’s narrative.
"You are moral cowards," Netanyahu told the assembly, referring to those who had left the hall.
— BBC
Protests outside the United Nations
Outside the UN headquarters, activists staged a demonstration that culminated in the arrest of roughly one hundred protesters, including actors Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder, according to Al Jazeera. Demonstrators carried signs condemning Israel’s policies and demanding accountability for alleged war crimes.
In a separate diplomatic note, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten defended Netanyahu’s right to address the General Assembly despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, highlighting a split among Western leaders over how to engage with Israel’s premier.
Electoral backdrop and domestic messaging
The speech came as Israel prepares for national elections, a timing noted by The Washington Post, which observed that Netanyahu’s rhetoric was aimed at rallying his base and portraying himself as the sole defender of Israeli security. By portraying critics as cowardly and emphasizing a narrative of existential threat, the prime minister sought to consolidate support ahead of the vote.
Overall, Netanyahu’s UNGA address intensified already strained relations between Israel and a number of UN member states, while the walkout and street protests highlighted the growing international polarization over the Gaza conflict and broader Middle‑East policy.
