Netanyahu defends Israeli actions at UN amid walkouts and Gaza genocide accusations
Israeli PM delivers defiant speech to General Assembly as dozens of delegates protest; Palestinian leader counters via video.
What to know
- Netanyahu delivered a defiant UN speech defending Israeli military operations while rejecting genocide accusations; dozens of delegates walked out in protest.
- Palestinian President Abbas countered via video (denied US visa entry) accusing Israel of genocidal war and illegal settlements threatening Palestinian existence.
- Netanyahu attacked international critics including Turkey's Erdogan and NYC Mayor Mamdani; the speech targets his domestic election next month and shoring up international support as Israel faces growing isolation.
- A UN arrest warrant for alleged war crimes looms over Netanyahu as he campaigns on security credentials now under scrutiny over pre-October 7 attack warnings.
Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister
Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian President
Zohran Mamdani New York City Mayor
Donald Trump U.S. President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan Turkish President
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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Netanyahu's speech targets domestic election and international support
The speech was pitched primarily at two audiences: Israelis ahead of a critical election next month, where Netanyahu's 'Mr Security' image faces scrutiny following reports he ignored warnings of the October 7 Hamas attack, and Americans as Israel faces growing international isolation. His defiant tone is expected to feature prominently in his campaign.
“We're going to win. We have no other choice.”
— Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister · source -
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# BBC # News Netanyahu defends Israeli military actions in Middle East in UN speech
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NYC Mayor Mamdani's office accuses Netanyahu of 'baseless lies' on genocide — Mayor Zohran Mamdani's office responded to Netanyahu's criticism by stating the Israeli PM 'used his speech to repeat baseless lies meant to sanitize his genocide of Palestinians.'
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Palestinian President Abbas responds via video with genocide claim — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, denied a US entry visa and speaking via recorded video link to the UN, accused Israel of subjecting Palestinians to 'killing, destruction, starvation and attempts at displacement, as well as a genocidal war' in Gaza. He also condemned illegal Jewish settlement expansion in the West Bank as threatening Palestinian existence and the two-state solution.
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Netanyahu rejects genocide accusations and attacks international critics — Netanyahu denied Israeli war crimes accusations, dismissed genocide charges related to Gaza operations, and launched attacks on nations and leaders including Turkey's Erdogan, Britain, France, and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. He accused Erdogan of supporting Hamas and claimed Jews in New York no longer feel safe under Mamdani's leadership.
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Netanyahu responds to walkout with attack on 'moral cowards'
Responding to the mass departure of delegates, Netanyahu challenged those remaining to also leave, using inflammatory language.
“If there are any other moral cowards who haven't left the hall, please do so now.”
— Netanyahu -
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Netanyahu delivers UN speech defending Israeli military actions — Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly, fiercely defending Israel's military campaigns in Iran, Gaza, and elsewhere in the Middle East. Dozens of delegates walked out in protest as he took the stage.