Netanyahu defends military action as UN delegates walk out in protest

Benjamin Netanyahu took the stage at the United Nations General Assembly on a day when dozens of delegates had already decided not to stay for his remarks. As he began speaking, more walked out in protest. The Israeli Prime Minister responded with a challenge: "If there are any other moral cowards who haven't left the hall, please do so now." It was a moment that crystallized the deep fracture in international opinion over Israel's military campaigns—and Netanyahu's defiant posture in the face of it.

Netanyahu's speech was a full-throated defense of Israel's military operations in Gaza, Iran, and elsewhere across the Middle East. He vowed the country would continue fighting. "We're going to win. We have no other choice," he said. He rejected accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, a charge that has gained traction internationally. The International Association of Genocide Scholars passed a resolution stating that Israel's conduct meets the legal definition of genocide under the UN convention. Israel has consistently denied this, arguing its military actions are justified as self-defense. Netanyahu himself is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes.

Hours before Netanyahu spoke, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the assembly via video link—he had been denied a US entry visa and could not attend in person. Abbas laid out a different account of events. He accused Israel of subjecting Palestinians to "killing, destruction, starvation and attempts at displacement, as well as a genocidal war" in Gaza. He also condemned what he called the illegal expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying Israeli policies threatened "the very life and existence of the Palestinian people on their homeland" and jeopardized the internationally backed two-state solution for peace.

The numbers behind the conflict are stark. The 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 others being taken hostage. In response, Israel launched a ground offensive in Gaza. According to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, more than 73,920 people have been killed in Gaza during the subsequent Israeli military campaign. Netanyahu did not address these figures in his speech.

At the UN podium, Netanyahu launched sharp attacks on nations and leaders who have criticized Israel. He mocked accusations of colonialism, saying: "They accuse Israel, tiny Israel, of colonialism—some colonialism. And who's accusing us? Among them are people in Britain and in France. For God's sake, they invented the term." He labeled Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a "tyrant," accusing him of supporting Hamas. Erdogan had told the UN that the injustices in Gaza and the West Bank "deeply offends the conscience of humanity." Turkey's communications director responded that Netanyahu's use of the UN podium for "baseless accusations" was incompatible with the organization's ideals of peace and dialogue.

Netanyahu also criticized New York City's mayor, Zohran Mamdani, saying that since his election, many Jews no longer feel safe in the city. Mamdani's office responded by accusing Netanyahu of using his speech to "repeat baseless lies meant to sanitize his genocide of Palestinians." Netanyahu praised US President Donald Trump for his "bold leadership," referencing joint US-Israeli air strikes against Iran launched in February. "Israel and America acted together not only to protect ourselves, but to save civilisation," Netanyahu said.

Much of the speech appeared calibrated for two audiences: Israelis heading to the polls for a critical election next month, and Americans whose support for Israel has been fracturing. In Israel, Netanyahu's once-dominant image as "Mr Security" has faced increasing scrutiny since the 7 October attacks. Some political opponents have questioned whether he ignored warnings of a potential Hamas attack—claims Netanyahu has firmly denied. His religious-right coalition is trailing in polls. The defiant performance at the UN, including his pre-scripted response to the walkout, will likely feature prominently in his campaign messaging as he attempts to position himself as the only Israeli politician capable of confronting global criticism.

In the United States, Netanyahu faces a more complicated landscape. Despite continued weapons supply from Washington, public opinion has shifted. Polls show plummeting support for Israel among Democrats and fractures in historically strong Republican backing, including within Trump's base. Netanyahu, who was born in Israel but spent formative years in Pennsylvania, has long presented himself as uniquely able to advocate for Israel in America. That argument faces growing skepticism. Meanwhile, in New York City, several protesters against Netanyahu's visit were detained, including Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon and Emmy-winning actress Hannah Einbinder, along with Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and city council member Chi Osse. Police said officers responded to reports of an unscheduled demonstration where protesters were blocking a junction.