Netanyahu at UN: Attacks New York Mayor Mamdani Amid Mass Walkouts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a fierce defence of Israel’s actions in the region during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Thursday. The move was seen as an attempt to counter increasing international isolation ahead of an election that risks ending his tenure, amidst a wave of walkouts by dozens of delegates.
According to Reuters, the division over Israel’s stance was immediately apparent as Netanyahu began to speak, with dozens of delegates exiting the hall in protest. Netanyahu subsequently labelled them ‘moral cowards’, while his supporters in the gallery cheered in Hebrew, proclaiming that the people of Israel live.
Attacking the Mayor of New York
Netanyahu used his speech to attack New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had previously referred to him as a war criminal. He also criticised Western European leaders for what he perceived as submission to antisemitic mobs, and accused Qatar and Turkey of spreading falsehoods about Israel.
“You tried to stop me from coming here. You tried. You tried to silence me. Well, you cannot silence me. You cannot silence the truth,” he asserted, referring to Mamdani.
Mamdani had previously campaigned on a promise to arrest Netanyahu for alleged war crimes if he visited the largest US city, though he recently admitted he lacks the legal authority to do so. This week, Mamdani again referred to Netanyahu as the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.
“Here is the simple truth: Israel is not committing genocide. Israel is preventing genocide,” Netanyahu stated during his first visit since Mamdani took office in January.
Netanyahu accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas militants, an allegation the Mayor immediately refuted.
“To all those spreading lies about my country and our brave soldiers, whether they sit in this hall or in the antisemitic New York Mayor’s office, I say this: Shame on you!” Netanyahu declared.
Responding to the attack, Mamdani promptly issued a rebuttal. He stated that Netanyahu’s claims were massive lies and noted that the Prime Minister remains an international fugitive due to Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
“As he has done repeatedly, Prime Minister Netanyahu uses his speeches to repeat baseless lies intended to whitewash the genocide against the Palestinian people,” Mamdani said. “However, no lie can change the fact that he remains the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
Street Protests and Praise for Trump
Outside the UN building, several hundred protesters gathered, with dozens blocking traffic while demanding that the world stop arming Israel and allow Gaza and Iran to live. Police reportedly detained several demonstrators.
During his brief visit to the US, Netanyahu notably did not have a scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump. Nevertheless, he offered high praise for Trump from the UN podium.
“We will continue to defend our country. We will continue to win because we have no other choice. In the battle against these barbarians, we have no greater partner than President Trump. I thank him. I thank him for his courageous leadership,” Netanyahu said.
Diplomatic Isolation and West Bank Settlers
Israel is currently facing worsening diplomatic isolation since launching the war in Gaza nearly three years ago in response to the Hamas-led attacks. Netanyahu is also unable to travel to many countries due to the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued in 2024. Earlier this month, steadfast allies such as the UK, France, and Canada even announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
“The leaders of these countries have chosen to succumb to antisemitic mobs. They have chosen weakness. They have chosen appeasement,” he concluded.
Regarding the escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, Netanyahu tended to downplay it, describing it merely as the work of around 150 ‘naughty teenagers’ throwing stones and cutting down olive trees.
“Sometimes… they set fires. I cannot tolerate that. I will not tolerate vigilantism. We are a state of law.”
Covert Campaign and Billboards
With the general election scheduled for 27 October—less than five weeks away—the 40-minute speech was viewed as a political campaign broadcast live during prime time on Israel’s four main television channels. Ahead of his speech, the Israeli government reportedly paid for the installation of 500 pro-Israel and anti-Iran billboards and dozens of campaign trucks traversing Manhattan.
Responding to polls showing his bloc trailing, he used the speech to showcase what he called Israel’s struggle on the front lines of seven conflict areas. As per his usual habit, he brought props, including a pager linked to the attacks on Hezbollah members in Lebanon, and a Starlink satellite internet receiver, which he said he would leave for Iranian delegates.
“So when they truly defect, they will also be able to freely tell their stories on social media,” he added, noting it is only a matter of time before Iranian authorities are overthrown by their people.