New York - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday, September 24, 2026, but the speech took place amid loud protests and uproar. As Netanyahu took the podium, representatives from dozens of countries walked out of the hall, leaving a large part of the hall empty. Outside, thousands of protesters in front of UN headquarters chanted "War Criminal" and "Let Gaza Live."
The visit was also kept very short for security reasons. Netanyahu came to America for only a few hours. His plane landed in New Jersey in the morning, he delivered a speech at the UN at 2 p.m., and flew back to Israel that evening. He neither stayed overnight nor fulfilled his plan to meet with Elon Musk in Texas. Israeli journalists were not even taken aboard his "Wing of Zion" aircraft. The US Secret Service and NYPD provided him with complete security.
Walkout Inside, Demonstration Outside
The Palestinian mission had already appealed to all member countries to walk out. Iran's delegation was already missing. As soon as Netanyahu began speaking, the crowd immediately left the hall. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that "large crowds" dispersed immediately, and Channel 12 showed pictures showing most of the chairs empty.
The scene outside was even more heated. Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian, and Lebanese New Yorkers participated in the demonstration organized by Jewish Voice for Peace. Orthodox Jews also raised posters reading "Netanyahu War Criminal." According to The Guardian, Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon and whistleblower Chelsea Manning were also detained by the NYPD during the protest.
Inside, amid chants of "Am Yisrael Chai - The people of Israel live" from his supporters, Netanyahu attacked the walkout.
"You Can't Silence Me" - Netanyahu
Netanyahu began his speech with an attack on New York's new Mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani had promised during the election that if Netanyahu came to New York, he would arrest him for war crimes. This week, he called Netanyahu "the architect of the horrific genocide against Palestinians."
Netanyahu responded, "You tried to prevent me from coming here. You tried to silence me. But you can't silence me. You can't silence the truth."
He said, "One simple truth: Israel did not commit the genocide. Israel prevented the genocide."
He called Mamdani a Hamas supporter and said, "Ever since he became mayor, Jews in New York have not felt safe. Whether he's sitting in this hall or in the office of the anti-Jewish mayor of New York, who is spreading lies about my country and my brave soldiers, I say: Shame on you!"
He called the walkout delegates "Moral Cowards."
Attack on Iran, Gaza, and Europe
Netanyahu spent a large part of his speech justifying Israel's military actions. He said that if Israel had not attacked Iran's nuclear installations in collaboration with the United States at the end of February 2026, "we would all be dead." He said that the attack on Iran also saved the countries whose delegates are walking out today.
On Gaza, he said that the war, which has been going on since October 8, 2023, is against terrorism. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and 175,000 injured in this war, mostly children and women. 90% of Gaza's civilian infrastructure has been destroyed, and according to the UN, reconstruction will cost $70 billion. Netanyahu has a war crime warrant in the International Criminal Court (ICC) until 2024.
He accused Qatar and Turkey of spreading lies about Israel and accused Western European leaders of "bowing to the antisemitic mob."
Abbas's Response
Before Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a speech via pre-recorded video. He stated that the very existence of the Palestinian people is at risk and that the two-state solution has been severely undermined. He stated that a "war of murder, destruction, starvation, forced displacement, and genocide" is ongoing in Gaza, while settlement developments in the West Bank are rapidly expanding. He accused Israel of seeking to create a "Greater Israel."
Pre-Election Claim
This speech is considered very important ahead of the Israeli elections on October 27. Netanyahu is under pressure domestically and faces the risk of international isolation. Therefore, the UN forum was an opportunity for him to strengthen his image. According to Reuters, he used this platform like an election campaign.
US President Donald Trump also delivered a speech at the UNGA this week, which was boycotted by the Iranian delegation. Trump said that he had a "big decision to make" regarding West Asia, which is raising the possibility of a possible deal with Iran.
Overall, this day of the 81st UNGA will be remembered in history for walkouts, sloganeering and deep divisions, with Netanyahu claiming to speak the "truth" on one hand, and empty chairs and anger on the streets on the other, showing how divided the world is about the Gaza war.
No comments:
Post a Comment