Netanyahu’s UN speech triggers mass walkout as Israeli PM defends Gaza war
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a major walkout at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, with dozens of delegates leaving the chamber shortly after he took the podium. Netanyahu dismissed those who walked out as “moral cowards” and used his address to defend Israel’s military operations, attack international critics and warn that Iran’s government would eventually collapse.
Delegates leave as Netanyahu begins address
The chamber began emptying as Netanyahu started his speech, leaving large sections of the General Assembly hall vacant. The Palestinian Mission to the UN had called on member states to stage a collective walkout when the Israeli prime minister was introduced.
Iran’s delegation also left the chamber. A photograph of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of Iran’s Quds Force who was killed in a US drone strike in 2020, was left on the Iranian delegation’s desk. Netanyahu responded to the departures by telling those leaving to go ahead and calling them “moral cowards”.
Israel rejects allegations that it has committed genocide or war crimes in Gaza.
Netanyahu warns Iran of political change
A significant part of Netanyahu’s speech focused on Iran. Addressing the Iranian people directly, he predicted that the country’s political system would eventually change. “The power of the people will overcome the people in power,” Netanyahu said, arguing that it was only a matter of time before what he described as a major change took place in Iran.
He also defended US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities earlier this year, saying the decision to attack Iran had been among the easiest decisions he had made. Netanyahu said Israel was currently fighting on seven fronts: Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen’s Houthi movement and Iran-backed militias in Iraq.
Mamdani, Western critics in Netanyahu’s crosshairs
Netanyahu also targeted critics of Israel, including New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza and described Netanyahu as a war criminal. “You can’t silence me. You can’t silence the truth,” Netanyahu told Mamdani during his address.
He also criticised Britain and France over their positions on Israel and thanked US President Donald Trump for his support. Netanyahu described the joint US-Israeli military action against Iran as a partnership that, in his words, helped “save civilisation”.
Speech comes before Israel election
Netanyahu’s appearance at the UN came weeks before Israel’s October 27 election. His visit unfolded against the backdrop of growing international criticism over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Reuters reported that Netanyahu was using the UN platform to defend Israel’s actions and push back against its diplomatic isolation while campaigning for re-election.
His New York visit was also unusually short, with Reuters reporting that he was expected to spend less than eight hours in the city before returning to Israel.
Protests outside UN headquarters
Demonstrations were held outside the UN headquarters ahead of Netanyahu’s speech.
Reuters reported that police arrested at least 30 protesters, including actors and politicians, during demonstrations against the Israeli prime minister’s visit. The protests formed part of wider opposition to Israel’s military campaign and US support for Israel.
ICC warrant remains a backdrop
Netanyahu’s UN appearance also took place amid the continuing legal dispute over an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court in November 2024. The ICC alleges that Netanyahu is responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza conflict, including starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally directing attacks against civilians.
The allegations have not been adjudicated at trial. Netanyahu and Israel reject the charges and challenge the ICC’s jurisdiction over the case.
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