Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Netanyahu Attacks Mamdani at UN as Delegates Walk Out
Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the United Nations and strongly criticized New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
He called Mamdani antisemitic and said many Jewish people in New York no longer felt safe.
Netanyahu also criticized Mamdani’s wife and some people connected to him.
He said Israel did not commit genocide in Gaza and instead prevented one.
Mamdani rejected Netanyahu’s accusations and called them baseless lies.
Mamdani also pointed to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity against Netanyahu.
Many delegates left the room before Netanyahu’s speech began.
Netanyahu also praised Donald Trump, criticized Iran, and attacked Qatar.
Qatar rejected Netanyahu’s accusations and said they distracted from Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his UN speech to attack New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
Netanyahu called Mamdani antisemitic, questioned his associations and criticized his wife, Rama Duwaji, over allegedly liked social-media posts.
Netanyahu rejected genocide allegations, saying Israel had prevented genocide and defended its military actions in Gaza and against Iran.
Dozens of delegates walked out as Netanyahu approached the podium, and he called those who left “moral cowards.”
Mamdani called Netanyahu’s claims “baseless lies,” cited the International Criminal Court warrant against him, and said Qatar’s criticism was an attempt to divert attention from Israel’s actions.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani; Qatar also responded to Netanyahu’s remarks.
- What
- Netanyahu criticized Mamdani and defended Israel’s conduct, while Mamdani rejected the accusations and cited the International Criminal Court warrant against Netanyahu.
- When
- Thursday, during the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
- Where
- The United Nations headquarters in New York City, with discussion also involving Gaza, Iran, Qatar and Israel.
- Why
- Netanyahu used the address to defend Israel, reject genocide allegations and criticize opponents; Mamdani responded to what he called false claims about him and Israel’s conduct.
Mamdani and Qatar’s Position
Netanyahu’s Position
Israel’s conduct in Gaza
Mamdani and Qatar’s Position
Mamdani said Netanyahu was repeating baseless lies to sanitize what he called Israel’s genocide of Palestinians.
Netanyahu’s Position
Netanyahu rejected genocide allegations and said Israel had prevented genocide.
Mamdani and Jewish safety
Mamdani and Qatar’s Position
Mamdani denied antisemitism, said his administration had increased funding to combat hate crimes, and focused on the ICC allegations against Netanyahu.
Netanyahu’s Position
Netanyahu called Mamdani antisemitic and said many Jewish New Yorkers no longer felt safe since his election, citing Mamdani’s associations and positions.
Qatar and Israel
Mamdani and Qatar’s Position
Qatar said Netanyahu’s accusations were intended to divert attention from Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Netanyahu’s Position
Netanyahu accused Qatar of spending billions to spread hostility toward Israel, the United States and the West, and criticized its links with Hamas.
- Main figures
- Benjamin Netanyahu and Zohran Mamdani
- Event
- Netanyahu’s roughly 40-minute address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly
- Delegate walkout
- Dozens of delegates left the General Assembly hall as Netanyahu approached the podium
- Netanyahu’s Gaza position
- He rejected genocide allegations and said Israel had prevented genocide
- Mamdani’s response
- He called Netanyahu’s claims “baseless lies” intended to sanitize what he called Israel’s genocide of Palestinians
- ICC warrant
- The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024 alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity
- Additional disputes
- Netanyahu praised Donald Trump, criticized Iran and accused Qatar of spreading hostility toward Israel and the West
