Benjamin Netanyahu used a combative UNGA address to reject genocide accusations, attack Türkiye and European leaders, defend Israel’s wars and condemn delegates who walked out as he took the podium.
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| Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during UN General Assembly in New York, Sept. 24, 2026 - AFP |
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the U.N. General Assembly that Israel had “prevented genocide,” using a combative address marked by boos and a walkout by dozens of delegations to launch sweeping attacks on critics of his government.
As diplomats left the chamber, Netanyahu opened by challenging any remaining opponents to follow them out.
“Before I begin, just a quick announcement: if there are any other moral cowards who haven't yet left this hall, please do so now!”
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu took the UN podium to a mass walkout and IMMEDIATELY FIRED BACK! 🇮🇱🇺🇳
— Opinion Newsroom (@OpinionNewsroom) September 25, 2026
"Before I begin, just a quick announcement: if there are any other moral cowards who haven't yet left this hall, please do so now! pic.twitter.com/chI3hBN37x
Netanyahu placed Israel’s conduct in Gaza at the center of his defense, rejecting allegations of genocide and arguing that Israeli measures to warn civilians were evidence of the opposite.
He said Israel had sent millions of text messages, made millions of phone calls, and dropped millions of leaflets warning Palestinians to leave combat areas.
The Israeli leader broadened the speech into an attack on governments and political figures he accused of fueling hostility toward Israel.
Netanyahu said leaders in Western Europe had “chosen to succumb to the antisemitic mobs,” while separately accusing Britain and France of hypocrisy over accusations of colonialism against Israel.
He then singled out Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling Türkiye the latest “super spreader of antisemitic lies.”
Netanyahu accused Erdogan of repeatedly calling for Israel’s destruction and claiming that Erdogan wished to rule Jerusalem.
“No, sir, you won't. This is our country, our city, our eternal capital,” Netanyahu said
“Israel didn't commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide!”
Netanyahu also cited what he described as one million polio vaccinations and the distribution of 2 million tons of food into Gaza.
He called the genocide accusation “the greatest lie of the century” and accused Israel’s critics of reversing the roles of victim and aggressor.
