Netanyahu Defends Gaza Military Actions Amid UN Mass Walkout

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, defending military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Netanyahu rejected genocide allegations as "the biggest lie of the century" and compared the October 7 Hamas-led attacks to "16 9/11s" based on proportional population loss. He asserted Israel's right to wage war against Iran and criticized Britain, France, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he called a "tyrant."

The speech triggered a mass walkout by delegations from Turkiye, Palestine, and several Arab countries. Netanyahu responded by labeling the departing delegates "moral cowards." Outside the UN headquarters, police arrested over 100 protesters, including Susan Sarandon and Chelsea Manning.

International reactions were sharply critical. Nasser Asadi of Iran's UN mission called the address an "utmost disgrace" and suggested the UN expel Israel under Article 6 of its Charter. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani branded Netanyahu a "war criminal," while İhsan Taylan Özver of Turkiye's UN mission described the walkout as a "resounding diplomatic condemnation." Hamad AlMuftah of Qatar criticized Netanyahu for attacking a regional mediator. Despite the international backlash, Netanyahu's domestic allies praised the performance as a strong defense of the state.