Netanyahu Rejects Gaza Genocide Accusations as Diplomats Walk Out of UN Speech

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected accusations of genocide in Gaza and defended Israel’s military actions during an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday. Dozens of diplomats walked out as he took the podium, while supporters in the public gallery cheered.

Netanyahu also accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of antisemitism, supporting Hamas and making Jewish New Yorkers feel unsafe. Mamdani responded that Netanyahu had repeated “baseless lies meant to sanitize his genocide of Palestinians,” and noted that the prime minister is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity.

New York Jewish Democratic lawmakers criticized Netanyahu’s characterization of Hamas and Mamdani as “buddies,” according to The Times of Israel. About 100 people were arrested during protests against Netanyahu’s visit in Midtown Manhattan, NPR reported.

In the same speech, Netanyahu attacked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, calling him a “tyrant” and criticizing Turkey’s presence in northern Cyprus and its conduct toward Greece. Netanyahu met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis before addressing the assembly.

Netanyahu also defended the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and praised U.S. President Donald Trump. He returned to Israel after meeting few world leaders during the trip and did not meet Trump, according to NPR.