Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Netanyahu Calls UN Walkout Delegates ‘Moral Cowards’
Many diplomats left a United Nations room when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech.
They were protesting his government’s actions and policies.
Netanyahu called the people who left “moral cowards.”
He said Israel’s military actions against Iran helped protect Israel and other countries.
He also spoke about antisemitism and told Jewish people not to be afraid.
Netanyahu criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani has accused Netanyahu of war crimes and genocide and has opposed his appearance at the UN.
The two leaders strongly disagree about Israel’s actions and about whether Netanyahu should face arrest.
Dozens of delegates left the UN General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began speaking on September 24, 2026.
Netanyahu called the departing delegates “moral cowards” and defended Israel’s military actions in Iran, Gaza and the wider Middle East.
He said Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities prevented a catastrophe and claimed Iran’s government would eventually fall.
Netanyahu accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of fostering an environment in which Jewish residents feel unsafe and rejected genocide allegations against Israel.
Mamdani called Netanyahu a war criminal and “genocide architect,” while an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity remains outstanding.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UN delegates, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and protesters opposing Israel’s actions.
- What
- Delegates walked out during Netanyahu’s UN General Assembly speech, which defended Israel’s military actions and criticized his opponents.
- When
- Thursday, September 24, 2026.
- Where
- The United Nations headquarters in New York City; related protests took place near the venue and elsewhere in Manhattan.
- Why
- Delegates and protesters opposed Netanyahu’s policies and military actions, while Netanyahu used the speech to defend Israel, address antisemitism and attack his critics.
Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense
Mamdani and Israel’s Critics
The UN walkout
Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense
Netanyahu called the departing delegates “moral cowards” and accused them of hypocrisy, saying Israel had protected some of their countries.
Mamdani and Israel’s Critics
The walkout and protests reflected opposition to Netanyahu’s government, its military actions and its appearance at the UN.
Military action against Iran
Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense
Netanyahu said attacking Iranian nuclear facilities was necessary to prevent a deadly threat and claimed Iran’s government would eventually fall.
Mamdani and Israel’s Critics
The articles report protests calling for an end to arming Israel and allowing Gaza and Iran to live, but do not provide a detailed defense of the Iranian government’s conduct.
Genocide allegations
Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense
Netanyahu denied that Israel committed genocide and said Israel prevented genocide by stopping Hamas and defending itself.
Mamdani and Israel’s Critics
Mamdani and an independent UN inquiry accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians; Mamdani said Netanyahu used “baseless lies” to sanitize the alleged genocide.
Netanyahu’s legal status
Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense
Netanyahu continued to deny war-crime allegations, and the United States said it would not arrest him because it is not a member of the International Criminal Court.
Mamdani and Israel’s Critics
The International Criminal Court has outstanding arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel’s former defense minister over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Safety and antisemitism in New York
Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense
Netanyahu said Jewish residents increasingly feel unsafe in New York and accused Mamdani of associating with people hostile to Israel and Jewish communities.
Mamdani and Israel’s Critics
Mamdani has opposed Netanyahu’s presence at the UN and accused him of war crimes, but the articles do not provide a direct response addressing Netanyahu’s specific safety allegations.
- Event
- 81st United Nations General Assembly
- Speaker
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- Date
- September 24, 2026
- Walkout
- Dozens of delegates left the hall as Netanyahu began speaking; the Iranian delegation was also absent.
- Netanyahu’s response
- He called departing delegates “moral cowards” and said Israel had defended countries whose representatives left.
- Israel-Iran claims
- Netanyahu said Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities were necessary and claimed Iran’s government would eventually fall.
- Mamdani’s position
- Mamdani has called Netanyahu a war criminal and “genocide architect,” and said Netanyahu’s speech repeated baseless claims.
- Legal dispute
- The International Criminal Court has outstanding arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel’s former defense minister over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to the article.
