Netanyahu faces walkout during UN speech, calls Gaza genocide claims 'biggest lie of century'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech to the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2026, prompting a mass walkout by scores of international delegates. Netanyahu dismissed allegations of Israeli genocide in Gaza as the "biggest lie of the century" and defended military action against Iran. The protest, organized by the Palestinian Mission, highlighted Israel's growing diplomatic isolation as the Gaza death toll surpassed 73,000 and reconstruction efforts remained severely underfunded.

Walkout during Netanyahu's UN address

• ▪General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman repeatedly called for order in the hall as a mix of cheers, boos, and walkouts erupted when Benjamin Netanyahu approached the rostrum
• ▪The Palestinian Mission to the United Nations circulated a message urging member nations to collectively walk out of the assembly hall when Benjamin Netanyahu was announced
• ▪Scores of delegates walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall on September 24, 2026, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium to speak

Defense against Gaza genocide allegations

• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed allegations of Israeli genocide in Gaza as "the biggest lie of the century" during his United Nations General Assembly address on September 24, 2026
• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu argued that Israel prevented genocide rather than committing it, citing Israel's facilitation of millions of polio vaccines and two million tons of food to Gaza

Stance on the war with Iran

• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for taking decisive action against Iran and described Trump as Israel's greatest partner in launching the war in Iran
• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu defended his decision to attack Iran, calling it "one of the easiest decisions" he ever had to make and asserting Israel's right to wage war against Iran

Netanyahu targets Turkey

• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of murdering thousands of Kurdish civilians, denying the Armenian genocide, and illegally occupying northern Cyprus
• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu accused Qatar and Turkey of financing information campaigns and spreading antisemitic lies against Israel, noting that both nations host Hamas leaders

Clash with New York Mayor

• ▪New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal and urged federal authorities to execute an arrest warrant against him
• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, claiming Mamdani's policies and rhetoric have made Jewish residents feel unsafe and accusing Mamdani of praising Hamas supporters

Gaza war toll

• ▪The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 in Israel
• ▪At least 73,922 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry

Rebuilding Gaza

• ▪Israel has stated it will not allow the reconstruction of Gaza to proceed until Hamas disarms
• ▪A top European Union official stated at the United Nations that only 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) has been raised of the 71 billion euros ($80.8 billion) estimated by the UN, World Bank, and EU to rebuild Gaza

Debatable claims

• ▪The UN delegate walkout during Netanyahu's speech was a justified protest
• ▪Israel's decision to launch a war against Iran was justified
• ▪Israel's military campaign in Gaza constitutes genocide