Netanyahu at UN General Assembly – says attack on Iran was ‘one of the easiest decisions’ he’s ever made: Key takeaways | Today’s news
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his speech at the 81st UN General Assembly on Thursday (Sept 24) to defend Israel’s military operations against Iran and Hamas, rejecting accusations of genocide in Gaza, the October 7 Hamas attack, criticism from international opponents including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s strong military action.
Here are the key takeaways from Netanyahu’s address to the UN General Assembly:
1. The mass exodus marks Netanyahu’s speech at the UN
Netanyahu’s speech was marred by a mass exodus of delegates after he took the stage.
The Palestinian Mission to the United Nations called on member states to leave the hall as Netanyahu began to speak.
Netanyahu responded by calling those who left “moral cowards.”
Netanyahu responded sharply: “If there are any other moral cowards who have not yet left the hall, please do so now.
2. Netanyahu defends Israel’s decision to attack Iran
Netanyahu said Israel’s decision to attack Iran was “one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make” and argued the military campaign was necessary to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
He said Israel was acting not only in its own defense but also on behalf of other countries, which it claimed were privately supporting its actions.
“When Israel defends itself, so do many countries whose delegates have just left this hall,” Netanyahu said.
He also praised US President Donald Trump and called the US-Israeli partnership key to confronting Iran.
3. He calls accusations of genocide in Gaza “the biggest lie of the century”
Netanyahu strongly rejected accusations that Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
He described the allegations as “the biggest lie of the century” and defended Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, saying Israel had taken steps to protect Palestinian civilians.
Israel has repeatedly denied accusations of genocide and war crimes, saying its military campaign is directed against Hamas.
4. Netanyahu calls for Hamas attack on October 7
Netanyahu returned to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures.
He compared the scale of the attack to the 9/11 attacks in the United States and argued that Israel was forced to fight Hamas to prevent another such attack.
He also said that Israel would continue to fight because, in his words, “we have no other choice.”
5. Netanyahu picks up a pager during a UN address
During the speech, Netanyahu picked up his pager and referred to Israel’s September 2024 operation targeting Hezbollah members in Lebanon.
He recalled the Sept. 17, 2024, pager explosion that injured more than 3,000 people and killed 12, including two children, according to material cited in his speech.
The visual reference was part of Netanyahu’s broader argument about Israel’s military capabilities and its confrontation with Iran-backed groups.
6. Netanyahu criticizes Turkey’s Erdogan
Netanyahu has sharply criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him a “tyrant” and accusing Turkey of hosting senior Hamas officials.
“The latest country to become a super spreader of anti-Semitic lies is Turkey,” Netanyahu said.
Erdogan is among the most vocal international critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and has called for more pressure on Israel.
7. Distances Israel from settler violence in the West Bank
Netanyahu has spoken out about the violence perpetrated by Israeli youth against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, calling them “juvenile delinquents”.
He said the media has focused on the relatively small number of young people who throw stones or damage Palestinian property.
“I can’t stand it. I can’t stand vigilantism,” Netanyahu said.
The remarks came amid international criticism of Israeli settler violence in the West Bank.
8. Netanyahu confronts New York Major Zohran Mamdani
Netanyahu also directly attacked New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his criticism of Israel.
He said Mamdani’s criticism of Israel contributed to Jewish New Yorkers feeling less safe.
“Mr. Mamdani, since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York,” Netanyahu said.
He also accused Mamdani of repeatedly falsely accusing Israel of genocide.
Netanyahu had already said before his speech at the United Nations that he intended to confront the mayor of New York over his criticism of Israel.
9. Netanyahu attacks Britain and France over claims of colonialism
Netanyahu rejected accusations that Israel’s policies amounted to colonialism, targeting Britain and France.
“They blame Israel, little Israel, for colonialism,” he said, arguing that Britain and France themselves played a major role in the history of colonialism.
His comments were part of a broader rebuttal to international criticism of Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians.
10. He says Israel will continue to “overcome”
Netanyahu ended his defense of Israel’s military campaign with a message of continued resistance.
“We will continue to win because we have no other choice,” he said, while thanking Trump for what he called decisive action against Iran.
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