UNGA: Netanyahu Slams Iran, Britain, France, Turkey in Fiery Speech

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday to launch a broad attack on Israel’s adversaries and several of its traditional allies, prompting dozens of diplomats to leave the chamber.

Netanyahu is campaigning for another term ahead of Israel’s October 27 election, which is expected to be a closely contested race. During his UN address, he criticised Iran, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Britain, France and Turkey.

As Netanyahu spoke, dozens of representatives walked out, while others jeered and booed. His delegation responded with applause, forcing the presiding officer to call for order.

“If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left this hall, please do so now,” Netanyahu said as diplomats continued to leave.

The Israeli leader singled out Mamdani, accusing the New York mayor of being “antisemitic” and alleging that “since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe.”

Mamdani had earlier said he would enforce an ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu, although he subsequently acknowledged that he lacked the legal 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, which followed Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attacks. Netanyahu has rejected the ICC’s allegations.

Outside the UN headquarters, dozens of protesters demonstrated with banners calling to “stop the genocide.” Authorities detained several protesters, among them Hollywood star Susan Sarandon.

Abbas criticises US visa decision

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a longstanding critic of Netanyahu, was absent from the UN gathering after the Trump administration refused to grant him a visa.

In a video address shown before Netanyahu took the podium, Abbas said, “We reject these unlawful punitive measures, and we reject the accusations and justifications on which they were based.”

Netanyahu also criticised Britain and France, whose governments have become increasingly outspoken over Israel’s actions despite their longstanding ties with the country.

Both Britain and France have introduced limited sanctions affecting Israeli exports from the occupied West Bank.

Netanyahu was also angered by comments from French President Emmanuel Macron, who said during his own UN speech that Hamas was not active in the West Bank. Gaza has historically been the group’s stronghold.

Taking aim at the two European countries, Netanyahu said Britain and France had no grounds to accuse Israel of colonialism.

“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,” he said.

Relations between Netanyahu and Macron have been strained, particularly following Macron’s role in a Western effort at last year’s UN General Assembly to recognise a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu warns over Iran

Iran received some of the harshest criticism in Netanyahu’s address, with the Israeli prime minister describing its government as a “murderous dictatorship.”

He argued that nearly seven months of Israeli and US military attacks 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,” he said.

Netanyahu further claimed that the collapse of Iran’s leadership was not “far.”

Iran, however, has maintained control despite the military offensive and continues to defy Washington, including by effectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz. At Iran’s UN seat, a portrait of slain Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani was displayed.

Pager device displayed at UN

Netanyahu also displayed a pager during his speech, referring to devices that Israeli intelligence reportedly engineered with explosives before they were delivered to operatives of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group.

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

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

Netanyahu’s visit to New York was brief, with the Israeli prime minister expected to return to the country as his election campaign gathers pace. He was not scheduled to meet any senior US leaders during the trip.

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1. Netanyahu Attacks Iran, Britain, France at Fiery UN Speech
2. Netanyahu Sparks UN Uproar With Attacks on Allies and Enemies
3. UNGA: Netanyahu Slams Iran, Macron, Mamdani and Erdogan
4. Netanyahu’s Fiery UN Speech Targets Iran, Britain and France
5. Netanyahu Denounces Allies, Enemies in Heated UN Address

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Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a fiery UN speech attacking Iran, Britain, France, Turkey and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

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