Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Thursday, forcefully rejecting claims that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. Describing the allegations as “the biggest lie of the century,” Netanyahu asserted that Israel not only avoided genocide but actively prevented it, labeling the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) “the most moral army in the world.” He highlighted efforts to facilitate food aid and polio vaccinations as evidence of his government’s intent to protect civilians.
The speech took place against the backdrop of a significant diplomatic protest, with dozens of delegates walking out of the chamber. The allegations stem from a case filed by South Africa before the International Court of Justice. While the court has issued provisional measures and an independent U.N. commission of inquiry concluded in September 2025 that Israel had committed genocide, the ICJ has not yet ruled on the merits of the case. Israel has consistently rejected these findings.
Netanyahu also launched a direct personal attack on New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing the mayor of antisemitism and spreading falsehoods about Israel. “Mr. Mamdani, since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York,” Netanyahu said, claiming Mamdani supported Hamas and incited riots. Mamdani, who has been a vocal critic of Israeli military actions, denied supporting Hamas and responded by accusing Netanyahu of using the U.N. stage to sanitize what he termed a genocide of Palestinians. He pointed out that Netanyahu remains subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The tension between the two leaders dates back to Mamdani’s mayoral campaign, during which he referred to Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and vowed to seek his arrest under the ICC warrant. Netanyahu also addressed broader geopolitical issues, praising President Donald Trump as Israel’s “greatest partner” and crediting the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign launched in February for destroying much of Iran’s nuclear program. He further accused Qatar and Turkey of fostering antisemitism and hosting Hamas leadership.
Outside the U.N. headquarters, hundreds of protesters gathered, chanting slogans such as “stop arming Israel, let Gaza live.” Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a prerecorded address after being denied a U.S. visa for the second consecutive year. Abbas warned that the Palestinian people face one of the most dangerous periods in their history and condemned Israel’s actions as ethnic cleansing and a genocidal war. He urged the U.N. to grant Palestine full membership.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, which killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel. Since the ceasefire was signed in October 2025, over 1,400 additional Palestinians have died. The U.N. estimates that $70 billion is needed to rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure. Other world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, called for greater international action, while President Trump claimed credit for ending the war, though key components of the peace agreement remain stalled.
Seventy-three thousand dead is a staggering number. The ICJ findings from last year haven’t disappeared.
Does anyone actually believe the ‘most moral army’ claim after seeing those death tolls? Seems delusional.
I’m shocked Mamdani confronted him directly. That personal clash overshadowed the whole speech.
The walkouts really speak volumes. You can’t silence that many people with just rhetoric.