Netanyahu Tells UN Attacking Iran Was Easiest Decision as Delegates Walk Out

Netanyahu at UN, walkouts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the United Nations General Assembly that attacking Iran was "one of the easiest decisions" he had made as prime minister, and he added, "Because if we hadn’t done it, we’d all be dead!"

Dozens of delegates walked out as Netanyahu approached the podium, and Netanyahu responded by telling the hall, "if there are any other moral cowards who haven’t yet left this hall, please do so now," while the room erupted in chants, cheers and boos.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the assembly through a video message recorded in his Ramallah office, and Abbas said Palestinians were facing a “genocidal war” while urging the international community to do more to confront Israel.

Netanyahu also singled out New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, calling him antisemitic for asserting Israel’s response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack amounts to genocide, and Mamdani replied that Netanyahu was spreading "baseless lies meant to sanitize his genocide of Palestinians."

Reporting for this sectionABC News

Abbas, Mamdani, and arrests

Netanyahu used his address to defend Israel's conduct in the war against Hamas and sharply criticize Mamdani, and Netanyahu said, "You falsely, repeatedly accuse Israel of genocide, Mr. Mamdani."

Mamdani responded by accusing Netanyahu of spreading "baseless lies meant to sanitize the genocide of Palestinians," and Mamdani added that he remains the subject of an international criminal court arrest warrant.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas accused the Israeli government of "state terrorism" and "ethnic cleansing" while warning that Palestinians were being subjected to killing, destruction, starvation and attempts at displacement.

New York police dispersed a protest against Netanyahu and arrested about 100 people, and BBC reported that officers arrested Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder during the move to disperse the protest near the United Nations headquarters.

Beth Miller of Jewish Voice for Peace said protesters included "over 300 New Yorkers who are sitting in and protesting Benjamin Netanyahu's speech" as police warned that arrests would follow if people did not leave.

Reporting for this sectionABC7 New YorkBBC

Hamas attacks, UN divisions

Hamas attacked Netanyahu's UN speech and described it as a speech full of lies that contradicts UN reports documented about the war in the Gaza Strip. Hamas said Netanyahu’s claim that the Israeli army is the "most ethical" does not fool anyone, and Hamas said it is refuted by independent UN committee reports documenting acts worthy of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Hamas also warned that allowing Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, to ascend the UN podium is a "political sin," and Hamas called for Netanyahu to be tried for the crimes he committed against the Palestinians.

The BBC said the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York continued on its third day, and the BBC reported that Netanyahu said Israel has been waging a war on seven fronts. Outside the UN headquarters, protesters blocked traffic and closed northbound First Avenue at East 39th Street in Manhattan, and the BBC reported that New York police arrested about 100 people during the protest.

Reporting for this sectionAl-Jazirah Net