Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly: boos, exodus from the hall and sharp rhetoric

Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday. He handed things out and his appearance was accompanied by resistance.

What happened in the UN hall?

When Netanyahu took the podium, he was greeted with boos. Before his speech even started, dozens of delegates stood up and left the hall - just as they had done last year. However, some delegates remained: supporters of the Israeli head of government applauded and chanted “Am Israel Chai,” which means “The people of Israel are alive.”

How did Netanyahu react?

Netanyahu responded to the action with sharp words: "If there are any more moral cowards who haven't left this room yet, please do so now," he said. Israel is defending many of the countries whose representatives have just walked out, Netanyahu said.

Referring to protests outside the building, he asked where these people were when Iranian security forces killed thousands of people demonstrating against the regime in Tehran in January. “Have you organized mass rallies or hunger strikes?” Netanyahu asked. »Did you protest in front of the Iranian representation at the UN? Have you advocated for Christians persecuted in Iran and throughout the Middle East? No, you didn't do that. Because you are hypocritical human rights activists.”

What is the conflict?

Long before his appearance, Netanyahu was hotly debated in New York. Zohran Mamdani, the city's first Muslim mayor, called Netanyahu a "war criminal" and called for his arrest.

Netanyahu is criticized internationally, particularly because of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for him for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

At the same time, the Gaza war has placed a heavy burden on Israel's international relations and the country is largely isolated. Most recently, the allies Great Britain, France and Canada imposed sanctions against radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Several states have recognized Palestine as a state - Germany is not among them.

What else did Netanyahu talk about?

The Israeli Prime Minister used his appearance primarily to justify the wars in Gaza and Iran. He defended Israel's offensive in Gaza and emphasized that Israel had "prevented" a "genocide" against Jews. Attacking Iranian targets was "one of the easiest decisions" he ever had to make. With a view to his country's military conflicts, he emphasized, using the words of his fallen brother: "We will win, we have no other choice."

The speech also addressed these topics to the people in his country. A new parliament will be elected in Israel on October 27th. According to polls, it could be difficult for Netanyahu's camp to secure a majority.

Netanyahu also attacked the Arab Gulf states. He accused Qatar of spreading lies about Israel. Qatar's goal is to "brainwash young people so that they hate Israel, America and the West." "This is the same Qatar that harbored the Hamas murderers of October 7th," said Netanyahu.

At the same time, Qatar played a crucial role in mediating between Israel and Hamas. In January 2025, they had arranged an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

Netanyahu also criticized the mayor of New York. He described Mamdani as “anti-Semitic” and accused him of repeatedly falsely accusing Israel of genocide. He also accused Mamdani of trying to prevent his visit to New York. “Well, you can't silence me. “You cannot silence the truth,” Netanyahu said.

Shortly before Netanyahu's speech, Mamdani released a video. It showed him planting an olive tree and eating dinner with Palestinian families from the Gaza Strip at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the mayor of New York. “May peace be our future,” he wrote.

Mamdani later accused Netanyahu of using his speech at the UN to "repeat baseless lies to trivialize his genocide against the Palestinians." "But no lie can change the fact that there is still an arrest warrant against him from the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity," the mayor said in a statement.

What happened in front of the UN building?

There were large-scale protests throughout the city: more than 400 people, including celebrities and politicians, took part in an action near the UN headquarters, as the pro-Palestinian Jewish organization “Jewish Voice for Peace” (JVP) announced. JVP organized the demonstration and part of First Avenue was blocked with a sit-in in advance of Netanyahu's speech. Demonstrators held signs with slogans such as "Stop arming Israel" and "Stop the genocide."

According to police, a total of around 100 people were arrested in Manhattan. A spokesman said several participants in an unannounced demonstration were taken into custody after they resisted orders to clear an intersection. Those arrested included Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and New York City Council member Chi Osse.

Her Hollywood colleague Hannah Einbinder was also taken away. The 31-year-old (known from the series "Hacks") said about her protest stance at the Cannes Film Festival in May: "I don't think that my small career should even be above a human life. It’s a commitment – ​​and I will always honor it.”