Benjamin Netanyahu attacks critics and allies in UN address

UNGA Hall Erupts as Envoys Walk Out on Netanyahu

Dozens of envoys from around the world walked out of the UNGA chamber as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium on Thursday, with some delegates jeering and booing. The presiding speaker shouted for order in the hall while Netanyahu’s delegation stood and applauded. Addressing the remaining delegates, Netanyahu stated, “If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left this hall, please do so now.” Outside the building, activists from Jewish Voice for Peace and other groups protested against the speech, with several demonstrators detained by police, including actor Susan Sarandon.

Defending the US-Backed Iran Strike and Regional Conflict

Addressing the joint US-Israeli military campaign launched against Iran in February, Netanyahu described the operation as a necessity. “Devastating Iran’s nuclear facilities was hard, was very hard to do,” he said, adding that it was “one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make as prime minister” to prevent existential threats. In contrast, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the assembly on Wednesday, calling out what he termed a “double standard” regarding nuclear inspectors and international sanctions. Netanyahu also asserted that Israel is currently fighting a “seven-front war” encompassing Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen’s Houthis, and militias in Iraq, declaring, “We are going to win. We have no other choice.”

Clashing with Western Allies and New York Leadership

Netanyahu expanded his criticism beyond regional foes to target historic partners including the United Kingdom and France, as well as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Condemning Ankara, Netanyahu accused the Turkish government of spreading “anti-Semitic lies.” The Turkish presidency swiftly responded via a statement from Communications Director Burhanettin Duran on X, calling the remarks “outrageous and despicable” and pointing to the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Turkish President Erdogan had earlier addressed the UNGA on Tuesday, describing Israel’s actions as reflecting a “genocidal mindset.”

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Turning his focus to domestic US politics, Netanyahu targeted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of trying to silence him. Mayor Mamdani rejected the accusations as “baseless lies” intended to sanitize military actions in Gaza. Meanwhile, Netanyahu offered high praise for United States President Donald Trump, thanking him as a vital partner and noting that US and Israeli pilots flew joint missions over Iranian skies.

Domestic Political Pressures Behind the Speech

Analysts suggest the aggressive rhetoric was heavily calibrated for domestic consumption ahead of Israel’s October 27 election. Ariel Cohen, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, told Al Jazeera that while Netanyahu delivered a strong performance, “that speech should be given at an election rally in Israel; this is who he’s communicating to.” Netanyahu is scheduled to return immediately to Israel to continue his campaign without holding meetings with top US leaders.