‘Biggest lie of the century’: Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Gaza genocide allegations in UNGA speech

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stage at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza, a noticeable number of delegates walked out in protest. The speech came amid mounting international criticism of Israel's military campaign in the region. Netanyahu, currently facing indictment by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, defended his country's actions on the global platform.

The walkout reflected the deep divisions within the assembly regarding the war in Gaza. Delegates began leaving their seats as Netanyahu approached the podium, signaling their disagreement with Israel's conduct. As part of his address, Netanyahu vowed to challenge what he deemed as "false accounts" of the military campaign and to advocate for Israeli soldiers.

However, the departures from their seats served as a counter-message, revealing that many governments were hesitant to provide Netanyahu with a standard platform while the war in Gaza was ongoing.

According to Gaza Health officials, over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict. Israel maintains that its military campaign targets Hamas and denies accusations of genocide. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice is currently considering a case on the allegations. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has also rejected the E1 settlement plan and urged the United Nations to take immediate action to prevent its implementation.

He emphasized that the Palestinian people will not accept displacement from their land. The annual General Debate, themed "Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all", continues, allowing world leaders to discuss global issues and potential solutions for peace, security, and sustainable development.