Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2026, asserting that allegations of genocide against Israel in Gaza are false and labeling them as "the biggest lie of the century." His speech, which was partially overshadowed by a significant walkout of delegates, emphasized Israel's right to defend itself against Iran. Netanyahu stated that attacking Iran was an easy decision and criticized delegates who left the assembly during his address, referring to them as "moral cowards." He claimed that Israel's actions also protect other nations, stating that some leaders thank Israel privately for its military actions against Iran.
During his speech, Netanyahu held up a pager to illustrate a past military operation against Hezbollah, which he claimed resulted in significant casualties. He compared the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people, to the September 11 attacks in the United States. Netanyahu expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for his actions against Iran and declared that Israel would continue to prevail in its military efforts.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also spoke at the UN, emphasizing the need for international action against Israel and rejecting displacement from their homeland. He criticized the silence of some countries regarding Israel's actions and called for tangible measures to protect Palestinians.
Netanyahu's speech comes amid increasing isolation for Israel during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began with the Hamas-led attack in October 2023. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 73,922 Palestinians have been killed since the onset of Israel's military response. Netanyahu has stated that no Palestinian state will be established under his leadership, and he downplayed incidents of violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, attributing them to a small number of individuals.
The Israeli government, which is heavily influenced by settler interests, has faced criticism for its handling of violence in the West Bank, where many view the settlements as illegal and a barrier to peace. Associated Press reporters contributed to this report.