Delegates Walk Out as Netanyahu Defends Israel at UN, Berates NYC Mayor Mamdani
Thestandard · 3 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, September 25, defending Israel's military operations in Gaza while launching sharp attacks against New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The speech drew immediate protests, with dozens of delegates walking out of the assembly hall as Netanyahu took the podium. The unusual public feud between the Israeli leader and the New York mayor comes as Netanyahu faces a potentially losing general election just five weeks away, with opinion polls suggesting his long hold on power may finally end .
Key Points
- Netanyahu told Mamdani directly in a video statement this week that he was going to New York "to tell the truth about our heroic soldiers" and "to tell the truth about you," while falsely accusing the mayor of supporting Hamas militants .
- Scores of delegates walked out as Netanyahu began speaking, leaving numerous empty seats in the hall; the Israeli prime minister called those who left "moral cowards" .
- In his speech, Netanyahu rejected allegations of genocide, stating flatly that Israel "didn't commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide" .
- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned earlier that "Israeli extremism is expanding its colonial project to create the so-called Greater Israel," saying Palestinian existence is under threat .
- Former Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren described the UN address as essentially a "campaign speech," suggesting Netanyahu was targeting wavering Israeli voters rather than the international audience .
Why It Matters
The протест walkout and Netanyahu's combative tone underscore Israel's growing diplomatic isolation on the world stage, even as the Israeli leader frames his messaging primarily for domestic political consumption ahead of elections that could unseat him after years in power . This divergence between international condemnation and nationalist electoral appeals highlights the deepening polarization over the Gaza conflict and its broader implications for Middle East peace efforts .
The протест walkout and Netanyahu's combative tone underscore Israel's growing diplomatic isolation on the world stage, even as the Israeli leader frames his messaging primarily for domestic political consumption ahead of elections that could unseat him after years in power . This divergence between international condemnation and nationalist electoral appeals highlights the deepening polarization over the Gaza conflict and its broader implications for Middle East peace efforts .