Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, faced a walkout by dozens of diplomats and protests outside the United Nations on Thursday as he delivered a strongly worded address attacking Hamas, Iran and several Western governments over their positions on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Several envoys left the chamber during Netanyahu’s speech, while others jeered and booed. Netanyahu’s delegation responded with applause as the session’s presiding officer repeatedly called for order. Addressing those who walked out, Netanyahu said, “If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left this hall, please do so now.”
Netanyahu also criticised New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of antisemitism and claiming that some Jewish residents no longer felt safe in the city following his election. Mamdani had previously said he would seek to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Netanyahu, although he later acknowledged that he lacked the authority to do so.
The ICC said in 2024 that there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for alleged war crimes in connection with Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attacks. Netanyahu has rejected the allegations.
Netanyahu also turned his criticism towards Britain and France, two longstanding Israeli partners that have become increasingly critical of Israel’s conduct in Gaza. He accused both countries of hypocrisy over their criticism of Israel’s policies and references to colonialism.
His remarks came after French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated support for Palestinian statehood and made comments about Hamas’ presence in the West Bank. France and Britain have also taken measures targeting Israeli exports from the occupied West Bank.
Netanyahu has previously clashed with Macron over France’s diplomatic push for the recognition of a Palestinian state.
Iran featured prominently in the Israeli leader’s speech, with Netanyahu describing its government as a “murderous dictatorship” and claiming that military action by Israel and the United States had prevented Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
He said his government remained committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and suggested that political change in Tehran could occur in the future. Iran, however, continues to retain control of its government and has maintained its confrontation with Israel and the United States.
Netanyahu also displayed a pager during the speech, referring to the September 2024 explosions involving communication devices used by members of Hezbollah in Lebanon. The incidents killed and wounded people, including civilians, and Israel was widely reported to have been behind the operation.
He further accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of supporting Hamas and described him as a “tyrant.”
Outside the UN headquarters, protesters gathered with banners accusing Israel of genocide, while several demonstrators were detained, including actor Susan Sarandon.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas did not attend the UN gathering after the Trump administration denied him a US visa. In a video message played before Netanyahu’s address, Abbas criticised the decision and rejected what he called the “unlawful punitive measures” against him.
Netanyahu’s visit to New York is brief, with the Israeli prime minister expected to return to Israel as the country’s election campaign intensifies. He was not scheduled to meet senior US officials during the trip.
