Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative address at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on September 24-25, 2026, opening his speech by branding departing delegates “moral cowards” after a mass walkout erupted the moment he took the podium.
The Walkout And Netanyahu’s Response
As Netanyahu approached the rostrum, scores of delegates exited the chamber, leaving a majority of visible seats empty. The Palestinian Mission to the UN had earlier urged member states to stage a collective walkout over Gaza. General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman repeatedly called for “order in the hall.”
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Undeterred, Netanyahu opened with a jibe: “If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t yet left this hall, please do so now,” drawing cheers from those who remained.
Direct Attack On Mamdani
Netanyahu reserved sharp words for NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had called for his arrest over an ICC warrant. “Your wife liked a post praising the October 7 massacre. She liked another post saying Tel Aviv shouldn’t exist. You refuse to condemn any of that,” he said, accusing Mamdani of trying to silence him.
Defending The Strike On Iran
Much of the speech centred on Israel’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which Netanyahu called “one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make as prime minister.” He claimed Israel’s action had protected other nations too, saying their leaders “thank us privately for taking out Iran’s nukes.”
Rejecting Genocide Allegations
Netanyahu firmly rejected genocide allegations over Gaza, calling them “the biggest lie of the century,” and urged Jewish communities worldwide to remain confident amid rising anti-Semitism.
Why This Matters
The speech came amid continuing Gaza tensions and, with Israeli elections approaching, addressed both global critics and a domestic audience. Thursday’s walkout, among the largest at a UNGA address in years, underscored deepening international divisions over Israel’s conduct.
