Netanyahu defends Israeli military actions in Middle East in UN speech

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, vigorously defending Israel's military actions in Iran, Gaza, and other regions within the Middle East. Many attendees walked out in protest, but Netanyahu declared, "We're going to win. We have no other choice." He responded to the walkout by accusing others of moral cowardice, stating, "If there are any other moral cowards who haven't left the hall, please do so now."

Netanyahu also dismissed claims that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. In a pre-recorded message, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas criticized Israel's policies, specifically the illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank, saying they threatened the "very life and existence of the Palestinian people on their homeland."

He accused Israel of causing "killing, destruction, starvation, and attempts at displacement," as well as a genocidal war in Gaza. Abbas made the address via video link due to being denied a US entry visa.

Netanyahu retaliated against nations and leaders who criticized him, labeling British and French individuals as colonialists and accusing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of supporting the Palestinian group Hamas. He also criticized New York City's left-wing mayor Zohran Mamdani, claiming that since Mamdani's election, many Jews felt unsafe in the city. Mamdani's office dismissed the accusations, stating that Netanyahu was spreading baseless lies to justify his actions.

Netanyahu praised US President Donald Trump for his "bold leadership" following the US-Israel joint air strikes against Tehran in February, asserting that the strikes protected both Israel and "civilisation." During the speech, several protestors were detained, including Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon and Emmy-winning actress Hannah Einbinder.

The Israeli military initiated a ground offensive in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, resulting in over 73,920 deaths, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. The International Association of Genocide Scholars declared Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide last year, but Israel maintains that its actions are justified as self-defense.