Netanyahu Defends Israel at UN Amid Delegate Walkouts and International Criticism

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly to forcefully defend Israel’s conduct amidst increasing international isolation. As he began speaking, dozens of delegates walked out, a move Netanyahu decried as “moral cowardice.” He targeted New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has previously called Netanyahu a “war criminal,” and accused Western European leaders of yielding to “antisemitic mobs.”

Netanyahu’s speech, delivered shortly before upcoming elections in Israel, was perceived as a campaign-style address. He presented Israel’s actions as a fight against existential threats, including Iran and Hamas. The Prime Minister also used the platform to criticize Qatar and Turkey for what he described as spreading falsehoods about Israel’s operations in Gaza. He vehemently denied accusations of genocide, stating, “Israel didn’t commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide.”

In response, Mayor Mamdani issued a statement asserting that Netanyahu’s words were “baseless lies meant to sanitize his genocide of Palestinians,” and pointed to the existing International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes against the Israeli leader.

Officials from Qatar and Turkey also refuted Netanyahu’s claims. Qatar’s foreign ministry suggested Netanyahu’s accusations were a diversion from accountability for actions on the ground, while Turkey’s communications director dismissed the remarks as baseless and aimed at obscuring the “humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.”

Netanyahu’s address comes at a critical juncture for his political future, with Israeli elections looming. He also highlighted Israel’s security partnerships, including praise for U.S. President Donald Trump. The speech occurred against a backdrop of deepening diplomatic challenges for Israel, exacerbated by international warrants and sanctions against Israeli settlements.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)