Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his country’s military campaigns in Iran, Gaza, and elsewhere in the Middle East during a speech to the UN General Assembly, facing protests that included multiple walkouts. Netanyahu rejected accusations of genocide in Gaza and launched attacks on critics, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while also praising former US President Donald Trump. The speech, delivered ahead of Israeli elections where he is currently trailing in polls, coincided with a pro-Israel advertising campaign in Manhattan. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the UN via video link due to a denied US visa, accused Israel of policies threatening the existence of the Palestinian people and jeopardizing a two-state solution.
As Netanyahu began speaking, dozens of delegates walked out in protest, prompting him to label them “moral cowards.” He also criticized Western European leaders for what he called succumbing to “antisemitic mobs.” Mamdani, who previously vowed to arrest Netanyahu but later said he lacked the authority, was accused by Netanyahu of creating an unsafe environment for Jews in New York City, a claim Mamdani’s office refuted as a justification for genocide. Netanyahu falsely accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas.
Abbas, in his address, stated Palestinians were being subjected to “killing, destruction, starvation and attempts at displacement, as well as a genocidal war” in Gaza. He also highlighted the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank as a key issue. Netanyahu, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes, showcased items like a pager and a Starlink receiver during his speech, referencing conflicts with Iran-backed Hezbollah and suggesting potential defections within the Iranian government.
Several protesters, including actresses Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder, were detained in New York City during demonstrations against Netanyahu’s visit. The Israeli military launched a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
Our reading is that Netanyahu’s speech at the UN was a deliberate attempt to both defend Israel’s actions and shore up domestic support ahead of upcoming elections. The combative tone, including direct attacks on critics and dismissal of genocide accusations, suggests a strategy of doubling down on existing positions rather than seeking compromise. The simultaneous pro-Israel advertising campaign and references to past conflicts indicate a broader effort to control the narrative surrounding the conflict.
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