Dozens of delegates walked out of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address to world leaders.
Netanyahu, who faced protests over Israel’s war in Gaza, called the departing delegates “moral cowards” and invited others who felt the same way to leave before he started speaking.
The Israeli prime minister used the speech to defend his government’s military actions and reject allegations that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza.
“Israel didn’t commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide,” Netanyahu said.
He also criticised New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has accused Netanyahu of responsibility for what he described as genocide against Palestinians.
Mamdani had campaigned on a pledge to seek Netanyahu’s arrest for alleged war crimes if he visited New York, although he later said he lacked the legal authority to do so.
In a statement, Mamdani accused Netanyahu of repeating what he called “baseless lies” and said the Israeli prime minister remained subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Netanyahu also criticised Western European leaders over their positions on Israel and accused Qatar and Turkey of spreading what he described as false information about his country.
His appearance came less than five weeks before Israel’s general election, with Netanyahu using the roughly 40-minute address to highlight what he described as Israel’s fight on seven fronts.
He also praised US President Donald Trump for supporting Israel, saying Washington had been Israel’s strongest partner.
“We will continue to defend our state. We will continue to win because we have no other choice,” Netanyahu said.
Outside the UN headquarters, several hundred protesters gathered, with some blocking traffic and chanting against US support for Israel and the war in Gaza. Police detained some of the protesters.
Netanyahu’s visit also came as Israel faces growing diplomatic pressure over its conduct in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Earlier this month, Britain, France and Canada announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Netanyahu criticised the move, accusing the leaders of those countries of choosing “weakness” and “appeasement”.
He also played down recent violence involving Israeli settlers in the West Bank, describing those responsible as a small group of young offenders.
Israel has faced increasing international criticism since its war in Gaza began following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel nearly three years ago.
Netanyahu has also faced restrictions on international travel following the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant issued against him and his then-defence minister over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
