Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Netanyahu’s UN Speech Targets Mamdani Amid Election Pressure
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, is going to speak at the United Nations in New York.
He is expected to defend Israel’s actions in the Gaza war and warn people about Iran.
He also plans to criticize Zohran Mamdani, New York’s mayor.
Mamdani once promised to seek Netanyahu’s arrest if he visited New York.
He later said that a mayor does not have the legal power to make such an arrest.
Netanyahu denies accusations that he committed war crimes or genocide.
He has accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas, but Reuters described that accusation as false.
Experts think Netanyahu may be speaking partly to Israeli voters because an election is approaching.
He is expected to meet several foreign leaders but not President Donald Trump before flying home the same day.
Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to defend Israel’s Gaza war, warn about Iran and criticize New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in his UN address.
Mamdani campaigned on seeking Netanyahu’s arrest over alleged war crimes but later said he lacked the legal authority to do so.
Netanyahu rejects war-crimes and genocide allegations and has accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas, which Reuters characterized as false.
Analysts expect the speech to resemble a campaign address aimed partly at Israeli voters before the October 27 election.
Netanyahu is expected to return to Israel the same day, with no meeting scheduled with US President Donald Trump.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani are central to the dispute; US President Donald Trump is also relevant because Netanyahu is not expected to meet him.
- What
- Netanyahu is expected to use his United Nations address to defend Israel, discuss Gaza and Iran, criticize Mamdani and highlight his government’s record.
- When
- The address is expected on Thursday, September 24; Israel’s general election is scheduled for October 27.
- Where
- The speech will take place at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- Why
- The speech comes amid international criticism of Israel’s Gaza war and growing political pressure on Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s election.
Mamdani and Netanyahu’s Critics
Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense
Gaza war allegations
Mamdani and Netanyahu’s Critics
Mamdani calls Netanyahu the “architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians,” while critics accuse Israel’s government of war crimes and criticize its military actions in Gaza.
Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense
Netanyahu rejects war-crimes and genocide allegations and is expected to defend Israel and its soldiers at the United Nations.
Arrest pledge and Hamas accusation
Mamdani and Netanyahu’s Critics
Mamdani campaigned on seeking Netanyahu’s arrest if he visited New York, though he later said he lacked the legal authority; he rejects Netanyahu’s accusation that he supports Hamas.
Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense
Netanyahu plans to address Mamdani directly and has accused him of supporting Hamas, an allegation Reuters characterized as false.
Purpose of the UN address
Mamdani and Netanyahu’s Critics
Analysts including Michael Oren say Netanyahu may be speaking primarily to Israeli voters and using the address as a campaign speech before the election.
Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense
Netanyahu is expected to present Israel’s case, warn about Iran, confront international critics and promote what he views as his achievements and ties with the United States.
- Speaker
- Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister
- Main critic
- Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York
- Expected themes
- Israel’s Gaza war, Iran, antisemitism, Hamas disarmament and criticism of Mamdani
- Israeli election
- Scheduled for October 27
- US meeting
- No meeting with President Donald Trump is expected
- Travel schedule
- Netanyahu is expected to arrive in New York in the morning, deliver his speech in the afternoon and return to Israel the same day
- Other meetings
- Netanyahu’s office said he would meet leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Ethiopia, Panama, Paraguay, Colombia, Greece, Papua New Guinea and Slovenia
