Netanyahu Defends Israel at UN as Delegates Walk Out; ICC Warrant Looms

09/29/2026 / By Belle Carter

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant address to the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 24 in New York, defending his country’s military campaigns across the Middle East as dozens of delegates walked out of the hall in protest, according to officials present.

More than 100 UN members left the chamber as Netanyahu took the podium, with delegates jeering and booing while members of the Israeli delegation stood and applauded ^[1]. The walkout occurred as a pending arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) remained outstanding against Netanyahu, the court has stated.

The ICC has accused Netanyahu of facilitating war crimes during Israel’s military operation in Gaza, triggered by the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, according to the warrant ^[2]. The Israeli leader also directed sharp criticism at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in his remarks, according to reports ^[3].

Speech Focuses on Israel’s Military Campaigns, Criticizes ‘Moral Cowards’

Netanyahu began his address by urging “moral cowards” to exit the General Assembly Hall alongside the diplomats who had already boycotted his speech, according to a transcript of the remarks. He defended Israel’s actions against Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East, stating that Israel had fought a “seven-front war,” according to his office ^[4].

Addressing the walkout directly, Netanyahu said: “If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left the hall, please do so now” ^[5]. He referenced the Oct. 7 attack, stating that “on that darkest of days, our enemies expected us to collapse.”

The Israeli leader listed Israel’s military operations against Palestinian attacks in the West Bank, “militias” in Syria, the Houthis in Yemen, Iranian forces and Hezbollah in Lebanon. He also rejected accusations that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, calling such allegations “baseless lies” ^[6]. The Israeli delegation cheered and chanted in Hebrew, “The people of Israel live,” according to attendees.

ICC Arrest Warrant and Genocide Allegations Add Context

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, accusing him of war crimes in Gaza ^[7]. The warrant has prompted scrutiny of countries that have permitted Netanyahu’s overflight. According to flight tracking data, Netanyahu flew over Greece, Italy, France and Canada – all ICC member states – on his way to address the UN, raising questions about their obligations under international law ^[8].

Netanyahu rejected allegations that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, calling them lies, according to his speech. He stated: “To all those spreading these lies about my country and about our brave soldiers… I say this: Shame on you!” ^[9]. The Israeli leader argued that Israel has no choice but to defend itself against attacks, his office said.

The Israeli leader faces intense global isolation. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned Israel for what he called a genocide in Gaza during his own address to the General Assembly on the same day ^[10]. UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese has called for additional arrest warrants to be issued for Israeli leaders over suspected war crimes ^[11]. A recent UN General Assembly resolution demanding a two-state solution, excluding Hamas from Gaza’s governance, was backed by 142 nations, isolating Israel and the U.S. on the issue ^[12].

Mamdani Dispute Highlights U.S. Political Divide

Mamdani had called for Washington to act on the ICC arrest warrant when Netanyahu arrived for the UN meeting ^[3]. In his speech, Netanyahu referred to “the antisemitic mayor of New York” and directly addressed Mamdani, saying, “You try to stop me from coming here. You try to silence me. Well, you can’t silence me.”

Mamdani responded after the speech, accusing Netanyahu of using his UN address to repeat “baseless lies” aimed at sanitizing Israel’s “genocide of Palestinians” ^[6]. The exchange underscored divisions between Netanyahu and some U.S. officials, analysts said.

American delegates at the UN stayed and applauded Netanyahu’s speech, according to observers. The dispute reflected broader political tensions.

According to a report in the Times of Israel, Jewish communal leaders and elected officials had demanded that Mamdani tone down his anti-Zionist rhetoric following a stabbing attack against a Jewish man in New York ^[13]. Netanyahu also blasted Mamdani for supporting individuals the Israeli leader described as pro-Hamas, according to reports ^[14].

Trump Meeting Absent as Israel Faces Election

Netanyahu was not scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House this year, unlike after his 2025 UN speech, according to U.S. officials. Israeli and American officials said there was no time for a meeting, pointing to the High Holy Days and Netanyahu’s ongoing reelection bid, according to statements.

Trump left Washington to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping. The absence of a White House meeting marked a departure from the previous year, when Trump invited Netanyahu to the White House for a fourth visit amid escalating Gaza violence ^[15].

Israel’s elections are set for October. Netanyahu is carrying out a shortened agenda in the U.S., his office said. The Israeli leader’s visit was shortened amid fears of protests, with reports indicating he landed at a military airfield in New Jersey rather than JFK airport ^[16].

The context of the visit included ongoing international criticism. According to a separate report in the Times of Israel, Mamdani’s calls for protest against Netanyahu’s visit prompted debate among Jewish groups in New York ^[17].

References

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BBC. “Watch: UN delegates walk out of Netanyahu speech”. BBC. September 24, 2026.
Just the News. “Netanyahu blasts NYC Mayor Mamdani during UN speech: ‘Shame on you'”. Just the News. September 24, 2026.
Middle East Eye. “Keypoints of Netanyahu’s UNGA address”. Middle East Eye. September 24, 2026.
BBC. “Netanyahu defends Israeli military actions in Middle East in UN speech”. BBC. September 24, 2026.
Middle East Eye. “Mamdani says Netanyahu used UN speech to sanitise his ‘genocide of Palestinians'”. Middle East Eye. September 24, 2026.
Patrick Lewis. “Empty Hall, Full Streets: Protesters Demand Netanyahu’s Arrest as UN Address Falters”. NaturalNews.com. September 29, 2025.
Sondos Asem. “Canada, France, Italy and Greece allow Netanyahu’s overflight despite ICC warrant”. Middle East Eye. September 24, 2026.
Sean Mathews. “Netanyahu paints Israel’s critics as ‘antisemites’ in angry UN speech to near-empty hall”. Middle East Eye. September 24, 2026.
Middle East Eye. “Spain’s prime minister slams Israel’s genocide in Gaza during UN speech”. Middle East Eye. September 24, 2026.
NaturalNews.com. “Francesca Albanese: ICC should seek more arrest warrants for Israeli leaders”. NaturalNews.com. November 21, 2024.
Cassie B. “UN overwhelmingly backs Palestinian statehood as Israel and US vote against it”. NaturalNews.com. September 15, 2025.
The Times of Israel. “Jewish leaders demand Mamdani tone down rhetoric against Israel after stabbing”. The Times of Israel. July 24, 2026.
Just the News. “You Vote: With Netanyahu and Mamdani blasting each other, what do you think?”. Just the News. September 24, 2026.
NaturalNews.com. “Trump invites Netanyahu to White House again despite UN ruling on Gaza genocide”. NaturalNews.com. September 17, 2025.
Middle East Eye. “Netanyahu shortens New York visit amid protest ahead of UN speech”. Middle East Eye. September 22, 2026.
The Times of Israel. “Mamdani makes it impossible for liberal Zionists to protest Netanyahu’s UN visit”. The Times of Israel. August 1, 2026.