Netanyahu defends Israel at UN as delegates walk out
The Israeli prime minister challenged critics during a UN address in New York, less than five weeks before a general election he could lose.
New York, United States. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions in the region at the UN on Thursday, seeking to counter growing international isolation ahead of a general election he could lose. Dozens of delegates walked out as he began speaking.
Walkout and criticism
Netanyahu called the departing officials “moral cowards,” while supporters in the gallery chanted in Hebrew: “The people of Israel live.”
He criticised New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for calling him a war criminal and accused Western European leaders of yielding to what he called “antisemitic mobs.” He also accused Qatar and Turkey of spreading lies about Israel.
Addressing Mamdani, Netanyahu said: “You tried to stop me from coming here. You tried. You tried to silence me. Well, you can’t silence me. You can’t silence the truth.”
Exchange with Mamdani
Mamdani campaigned on a promise to have Netanyahu arrested for alleged war crimes if he visited New York, but later said he had determined that he lacked the legal authority to do so. This week, Mamdani described Netanyahu as “the architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians.”
On his first visit to New York since Mamdani took office in January, Netanyahu said: “Here’s a simple truth: Israel didn’t commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide.” He also falsely accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas militants.
“To all those spreading these lies about my country and about our brave soldiers, whether they sit in this hall or in the office of the antisemitic mayor of New York, I say this: Shame on you!” Netanyahu said.
Mamdani responded in a statement that Netanyahu had repeated “baseless lies” and said he remained subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Election backdrop
Netanyahu spoke for about 40 minutes in a campaign-style address less than five weeks before general elections. All four main Israeli television channels broadcast the speech live during evening prime time.
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