Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to launch pointed criticism against both longstanding partners and regional rivals, creating visible tension inside the chamber.
Speaking while locked in a closely contested campaign ahead of elections scheduled for October 27, Netanyahu directed sharp remarks at Iran, Turkey, Britain, France, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. As he began, dozens of diplomats from various countries left the hall, with some audible jeers and boos. Members of his delegation rose in applause while the session chair called for order. Netanyahu responded by inviting any remaining “moral cowards” to exit as well.
He described Mayor Mamdani as antisemitic and stated that many Jewish residents no longer felt safe in the city following the mayor’s election. Mamdani had previously indicated he would act on an International Criminal Court arrest warrant related to the Gaza conflict, though he later acknowledged lacking the legal authority to do so. The court had earlier determined there were reasonable grounds to investigate allegations of war crimes linked to Israel’s military response to the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas; Netanyahu has rejected those claims.
Outside the United Nations, protesters gathered, some carrying banners. Several individuals were detained. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, denied a visa to attend in person, delivered a video message rejecting the restrictions and the justifications given for them.
Britain and France, historic partners that have grown more critical of Israeli policies and imposed limited sanctions on certain West Bank exports, drew particular attention. Netanyahu rejected accusations of colonialism against Israel, noting the colonial histories of both nations and stating that they had “invented the term.”
On Iran, he used strong language, labelling its government a “murderous dictatorship.” He asserted that joint Israeli and American military actions over recent months had prevented Tehran from advancing nuclear weapons programmes and suggested the current Iranian leadership’s hold on power was not secure. During the speech he held up a pager of the type associated with earlier operations targeting Hezbollah operatives.
Turning to Turkey, Netanyahu accused the country of supporting Hamas and described President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a “tyrant.”
Netanyahu’s visit to New York was brief. He was not scheduled to meet senior American officials and planned a rapid return to Israel to continue campaigning. The address underscored the depth of current diplomatic frictions surrounding the ongoing regional conflicts and Israel’s international standing.