Netanyahu’s UN Address Exposes Deepening Israel-Gaza Divide as Dozens of Delegations Walk Out
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly on September 24 to deliver a forceful defence of Israel’s military actions, condemn Iran and attack international critics, as dozens of delegations walked out of the chamber when he approached the podium.
The walkout became one of the defining images of the speech. Delegates from numerous countries left the General Assembly hall before Netanyahu began speaking, while others remained. Netanyahu responded by calling those who departed “moral cowards” and challenged anyone else who objected to his presence to leave as well.
Netanyahu made Iran one of the central themes of his address. Referring to the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran earlier this year, he defended the destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities as a decision necessary for Israel’s security. He argued that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons was essential to Israel and the wider international community.
The Israeli prime minister also emphasized Israel’s cooperation with the United States. He thanked President Donald Trump and said American and Israeli forces had conducted joint missions over Iran. His remarks placed the U.S.-Israel alliance at the center of his argument that Israel was acting against threats that extended beyond its own borders.
Gaza was another major focus. Netanyahu rejected allegations that Israel had committed genocide during its military campaign against Hamas, describing the accusation as the “biggest lie of the century.” He argued that Israel’s military operations were a response to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and portrayed Israel as defending itself against a continuing threat.
The genocide allegation remains one of the most contentious issues surrounding the war. Israel rejects the accusation, while Palestinian officials and critics of the Israeli campaign have accused Israel of carrying out grave violations against Palestinians. Netanyahu’s speech offered no indication that he intended to soften Israel’s position on the issue.
Netanyahu also turned his attention to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has sharply criticized Israel’s conduct in Gaza and previously called Netanyahu a war criminal. Netanyahu accused Mamdani of contributing to an atmosphere in which Jewish New Yorkers feel unsafe.
Mamdani responded by rejecting Netanyahu’s characterization and said the Israeli leader had used the UN platform to repeat what he described as false claims about Gaza. He also pointed to the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu, issued in 2024 over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel rejects the allegations underlying the warrant.
Netanyahu additionally criticized European governments, including Britain and France, over their criticism of Israel and accusations of colonialism. His remarks reflected the widening diplomatic disagreement between Israel and several traditional Western partners over the Gaza war and the future of the Palestinian territories.
The speech came against the backdrop of intense diplomatic pressure on Israel. European and Middle Eastern leaders had used their own UN appearances to criticize Israeli policies, while the Gaza conflict continued to dominate discussions at the General Assembly.
Outside the UN headquarters, protests accompanied Netanyahu’s visit. Demonstrators gathered in Manhattan to oppose Israel’s military campaign and Netanyahu’s appearance at the UN. New York police arrested more than 100 protesters after authorities said demonstrators blocked an intersection and did not comply with orders to disperse.
The political backdrop inside Israel was also significant. Netanyahu is facing parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27, meaning his UN appearance occurred during an active election campaign. International affairs, Iran, Gaza and Israel’s security were therefore not simply diplomatic issues but also central themes in the domestic political debate.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had addressed the General Assembly earlier by video after the United States denied him a visa to enter the country. Abbas accused Israel of killing, destruction, starvation and displacement in Gaza and described the situation as a catastrophic assault on Palestinians.
The contrasting speeches highlighted the extraordinary political divide surrounding the conflict. Netanyahu presented Israel’s military actions as a necessary struggle for national survival, while Palestinian representatives and Israel’s critics described the consequences for Palestinians as an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.
Netanyahu’s address therefore became more than a conventional diplomatic speech. The walkout, the confrontation with critics, his defence of the Gaza campaign, his warnings about Iran and his direct attack on Mamdani turned the appearance into a highly charged presentation of Israel’s position at a moment of intense international disagreement.
The immediate significance of the speech will depend on what follows: whether diplomatic pressure over Gaza increases, whether U.S.-Israeli coordination over Iran continues, and whether the increasingly visible disagreement between Israel and several Western governments affects future policy toward the conflict. For now, Netanyahu’s appearance at the UN has underscored just how sharply divided the international community remains over Israel’s conduct in the region.
