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// DOSSIER — netanyahu-addresses-un-general-assembly-diplomatic-walkout
Netanyahu Addresses Near-Empty UN General Assembly Amid Mass Diplomatic Walkout
REL_TIME: 27 Sep 2026 04:12Z · LANG: EN
On September 24, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant address to a largely empty hall at the 81st United Nations General Assembly following a mass walkout by international delegations. Confronting severe international isolation, an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, and UN genocide determinations, Netanyahu vehemently denied allegations of genocide in Gaza, labeling them the 'greatest lie of the century.' During his speech, Netanyahu attacked numerous international and local figures, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Qatar, France, and Britain. He celebrated US-Israeli military strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, predicted the fall of Iran's leadership, and singled out US President Donald Trump as Israel's greatest partner. Outside the UN headquarters, demonstrations resulted in NYPD detentions, including notable figures protesting the Gaza offensive.
// Background
The address occurred against the backdrop of the protracted conflict following the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, in which 1,200 people were killed. Subsequent Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed close to 74,000 Palestinians and injured roughly 175,000. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Subsequent reports by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry in September 2025 and June 2026 concluded that Israel committed genocide in the Gaza Strip.
// Key Developments
- Dozens of diplomatic delegations staged a mass walkout as Netanyahu took the UN podium, prompting him to label them 'moral cowards.'
- Netanyahu firmly denied genocide allegations in Gaza, asserting that Israel delivered 2 million tons of aid and that Israel 'prevented genocide.'
- The prime minister sharply attacked New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of making New York unsafe for Jews and attempting to block Netanyahu from speaking.
- Netanyahu hailed joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure as one of his 'easiest decisions' and displayed a Starlink terminal aimed at Iranian dissidents.
- The speech took place amid escalating protests outside UN headquarters and against the backdrop of an active ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
// Timeline
-
Hamas launches an attack on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and sparking the war in Gaza.
-
The International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity.
-
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry publishes findings concluding that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
-
The UN Commission releases a follow-up report detailing continued atrocity crimes and the deliberate targeting of children in Gaza.
-
Netanyahu delivers an aggressive speech to an emptied UN General Assembly hall in New York amid street protests and diplomatic walkouts.
// Perspectives
[Benjamin Netanyahu / Israeli Government]
Defends military actions in Gaza and the region as lawful self-defense against existential threats; frames international scrutiny, media coverage, and genocide accusations as anti-Semitic lies while seeking domestic political momentum ahead of October elections.
[Departing UN Delegations and Critics]
Protested Netanyahu's presence and rejected Israeli military operations through an organized walkout, highlighting mounting international outrage over civilian casualties and allegations of war crimes in Gaza.
[New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani]
Opposed Netanyahu's visit, called for his arrest as a war criminal pursuant to international legal proceedings, and accused Israel of carrying out genocide in Gaza.
[Iranian Delegation]
Exited the chamber entirely during the address, leaving behind a photograph of deceased IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani on their unoccupied seats.
// Quotes
“If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left this hall, please do so now.”
“Accusing Israel of genocide is the greatest lie of the century.”
“Devastating Iran’s nuclear facilities was hard. It was very hard to do. But for me, it was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make as prime minister.”
“Order in the hall, please. Order in the hall, please.”
