UNGA: Gaza dominates agenda as Abbas, Netanyahu speak
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza the "greatest lie of the century." Many delegates walked out for his General Assembly speech. Mahmoud Abbas also spoke earlier. DW has more.
At the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from September 22-28, 2026, the Gaza Strip dominated the agenda with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing allegations of genocide in the region. Netanyahu vehemently denied these claims, stating that Hamas used Palestinian civilians as human shields and used schools, mosques, and hospitals as terrorist command posts to keep Palestinians in harm's way.
He also criticized New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for spreading antisemitic messages and claimed that Israel had prevented a nuclear catastrophe by stopping Iran's nuclear program. Netanyahu referred to his previous 2012 appearance at the UN, when he vowed to prevent Iran from developing atomic bombs. The speech was interrupted by a large number of delegates exiting the chamber, with Netanyahu addressing the issue before beginning his address.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also spoke, advocating for the two-state solution and the establishment of a non-militarized, democratic Palestinian state alongside Israel. Abbas emphasized the need for protecting Palestinian lands and people from displacement and occupation.
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Also reported by 5 other outlets
- UNGA: Gaza dominates agenda as Abbas, Netanyahu speak dw.com
- Abbas accuses Israel of waging ‘genocidal war’ in Gaza, in pre-recorded UN address scmp.com
- Keypoints of Netanyahu's UNGA address middleeasteye.net
- Israeli PM Netanyahu calls Gaza genocide allegations ‘biggest lie of the century’ france24.com
- Palestine president Mahmoud Abbas at UNGA — What he said on Israeli settlements, US visa ban and elections livemint.com
