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Netanyahu Slams Allies and Foes in Fiery UN Speech
Benjamin Netanyahu gave a forceful speech at the United Nations.
He criticized several countries and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Many diplomats left the room while he spoke, and his team applauded him.
Netanyahu said Mamdani was antisemitic and that many Jewish people felt unsafe in New York.
He accused Britain and France of hypocrisy when they criticized Israel as colonialist.
He described Iran’s leaders as dangerous dictators.
Netanyahu said Israeli and American military action had stopped Iran from making nuclear weapons.
He also criticized Turkey’s president and showed a pager connected to explosions involving Hezbollah operatives.
The speech happened while Netanyahu was campaigning for Israel’s October 27 election.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Iran, Britain, France, Turkey and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani during his United Nations address.
Dozens of diplomats reportedly walked out, while Netanyahu’s team applauded and the session speaker called for order.
Netanyahu called Mamdani antisemitic and said many Jews no longer feel safe in New York since his election.
He accused Britain and France of hypocrisy for calling Israel colonialist, citing their own colonial histories.
Netanyahu called Iran’s leadership a murderous dictatorship, claimed Israeli and US action blocked its nuclear ambitions, and called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a tyrant.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; his remarks targeted Zohran Mamdani, Britain, France, Iran and Turkey.
- What
- Netanyahu delivered a confrontational speech criticizing allies and opponents while defending Israel’s actions.
- Where
- The United Nations headquarters in New York, United States.
- When
- Thursday, September 25, 2026; Israel’s election is scheduled for October 27.
- Why
- Netanyahu used the address to oppose criticism of Israel, warn about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and attack political opponents.
Netanyahu’s Position
Critics’ Position
Israel and colonialism
Netanyahu’s Position
Netanyahu said Britain and France were hypocritical to accuse Israel of colonialism because of their own colonial histories.
Critics’ Position
Britain and France have become increasingly critical of Israel and imposed limited sanctions on Israeli exports from the occupied West Bank.
Gaza campaign and legal allegations
Netanyahu’s Position
Netanyahu rejects allegations connected to the International Criminal Court warrant and defended Israel’s actions.
Critics’ Position
The International Criminal Court said in 2024 that it had reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for war crimes in the Gaza campaign; protesters near the United Nations displayed “stop the genocide” banners.
Iran’s nuclear program
Netanyahu’s Position
Netanyahu said Israeli and US military action prevented Iran from developing nuclear weapons and warned that Iran’s leadership could fall.
Critics’ Position
The article reports that Iran’s government retained control and continued to defy the United States, without presenting an independent confirmation of Netanyahu’s claims about its nuclear capabilities.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
- Venue
- 81st United Nations General Assembly, New York
- Diplomatic reaction
- Dozens of envoys walked out, with some reportedly jeering and booing
- Mamdani criticism
- Netanyahu called New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani antisemitic
- Britain and France
- Netanyahu accused both countries of hypocrisy over their criticism of Israel
- Iran
- Netanyahu called Iran’s leadership a murderous dictatorship
- Election context
- Israel is due to vote on October 27, 2026
Quotes
Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister of Israel speaking at the UN General Assembly
“They accuse Israel, tiny Israel, of colonialism -- some colonialism. And who's accusing us? Among them are people in Britain and in France. For God's sakes, they invented the term.”
NDTV
news18.com
“I vowed to prevent Iran's murderous dictatorship from developing atomic bombs, nuclear weapons aimed at destroying Israel, nuclear weapons that could threaten the entire world.”
NDTV
news18.com
Sources
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