UNGA: Netanyahu lashes out at Iran, allies and New York mayor

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his Thursday address to the United Nations General Assembly to launch a broad attack on Israel’s adversaries and several of its traditional partners, as he battles to retain power in the October 27 elections.

Netanyahu’s speech was met with a dramatic reaction inside the UN chamber, with dozens of diplomats leaving, while others jeered and booed. Members of the Israeli delegation responded by standing and applauding, prompting the session’s presiding officer to demand order.

“If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left this hall, please do so now,” Netanyahu said to those who walked out.

Among those targeted was New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whom Netanyahu called “antisemitic.” He further claimed that “since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe.”

Mamdani had threatened to enforce an ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu, although he later admitted that he lacked the authority to do so.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague said in 2024 that it had reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for war crimes during Israel’s Gaza campaign. The campaign followed Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attacks, which killed people in Israel. Netanyahu has rejected the ICC allegations.

Outside the UN headquarters, dozens of protesters demonstrated against Netanyahu, with some carrying “stop the genocide” signs. Several protesters were detained, among them Hollywood actor Susan Sarandon.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a prominent Netanyahu critic, was also absent after the Trump administration denied him a visa to attend the UN gathering.

A video message from Abbas played before Netanyahu’s speech, in which he said: “We reject these unlawful punitive measures, and we reject the accusations and justifications on which they were based.”

Britain and France come under fire

Netanyahu also directed criticism at Britain and France, two historic Israeli partners that have become more vocal in opposing aspects of Israel’s policies.

The two countries have imposed limited sanctions on Israeli exports from the occupied West Bank.

Netanyahu was particularly critical of France after President Emmanuel Macron said during his own UN speech that Hamas was not active in the West Bank, where the group has traditionally not maintained the same stronghold it has in Gaza.

Turning to the colonial histories of Britain and France, Netanyahu said: “They accuse Israel, tiny Israel, of colonialism — some colonialism. And who’s accusing us? Among them are people in Britain and in France. For God’s sakes, they invented the term.”

Relations between Netanyahu and Macron have been strained, particularly since Macron spearheaded a Western effort at last year’s UN General Assembly to recognize a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu warns about Iran

Iran was another major focus of Netanyahu’s speech, with the Israeli leader referring to its government as a “murderous dictatorship.”

He argued that the war involving Israeli and US forces over nearly seven months had prevented Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

“I vowed to prevent Iran’s murderous dictatorship from developing atomic bombs, nuclear weapons aimed at destroying Israel, nuclear weapons that could threaten the entire world,” Netanyahu said.

He added that the fall of Iran’s leadership was not “far.”

At the UN, Iran’s envoy displayed a portrait of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US strike, on the country’s otherwise vacant desk.

Iran’s government has nevertheless remained in control despite the military campaign and continues to defy Washington by effectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz.

Pager device displayed at UN

Netanyahu also held up a pager during his address, referring to devices that Israeli intelligence reportedly fitted with explosives before they were sent to operatives of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group.

The devices were subsequently detonated, injuring dozens of Hezbollah operatives and civilian bystanders.

Netanyahu accused Turkey of backing Hamas and described Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a “tyrant.”

The Israeli prime minister’s visit to New York was brief, with Netanyahu expected to return quickly to Israel as the October 27 election campaign intensifies. He was not scheduled to hold meetings with any senior US leaders.

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