Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2026, where he criticized both detractors and allies, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Iran’s leadership, and countries like the United Kingdom and France. His speech elicited a walkout from several delegates, while his team applauded. Netanyahu stated, "If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left this hall, please do so now," addressing those who turned their backs on him.
He discussed Israel's military actions against Iran, claiming that the decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities was one of the easiest he had to make as prime minister. He asserted that Israel is engaged in a “seven-front war” against various groups and nations, including Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen’s Houthis, and militias in Iraq. "We are going to win. We have no other choice," he declared, echoing a sentiment from his late brother Yonatan Netanyahu.
Netanyahu criticized the UK and France for their accusations of colonialism against Israel, stating, "For God’s sakes, they invented the term." He expressed gratitude towards U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting their cooperation in military operations and efforts to retrieve hostages from Gaza. He also denied accusations of genocide in Gaza, specifically targeting Mayor Mamdani, who had previously called for his arrest during the visit.
In response, Mamdani labeled Netanyahu's accusations as "baseless lies" intended to obscure actions against Palestinians. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has indicated it has grounds to believe Netanyahu is responsible for war crimes in Gaza, where a significant number of Palestinian casualties have been reported. Despite an ICC warrant for his arrest, Netanyahu attended the UNGA meeting, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the assembly via video.
Outside the UN, activists from Jewish Voice for Peace protested against Netanyahu, calling for an end to U.S. support for Israel. Protests included demonstrators holding banners and some arrests, including that of actress Susan Sarandon. Netanyahu's speech was characterized by some analysts as more suited for an election rally in Israel than for an international forum, reflecting his focus on domestic political survival as elections approach on October 27, 2026.