Israeli PM Netanyahu criticizes allies at UN — Channel NewsAsia
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, United States, criticized Iran, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. During the speech, dozens of diplomats left the hall, while some shouted at and booed the Israeli prime minister, Channel NewsAsia reports.
Netanyahu addressed the diplomats leaving the hall, calling on other “moral cowards” to leave as well. At the same time, members of the Israeli delegation applauded the prime minister, while the meeting chair called for order.
Dispute with New York mayor
The Israeli prime minister called Mamdani an antisemite and said that, after his election as mayor, many Jews in New York no longer feel safe. Mamdani had previously said he would enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu, but later acknowledged that he did not have such authority.
In response, Mamdani said Netanyahu’s speech contained baseless lies that, in his view, were intended to justify the genocide of Palestinians. He also said that Netanyahu is the subject of an ICC warrant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Netanyahu denies the ICC’s claims.
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Criticism of France, Britain and Iran
Netanyahu also spoke out against the United Kingdom and France, which imposed limited sanctions on Israeli exports from the occupied West Bank. He criticized both countries over their colonial past. French President Emmanuel Macron had previously said in a UN speech that Hamas does not operate in the West Bank.
Separately, Netanyahu called Iran’s authorities a “murderous dictatorship” and said that Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran had prevented Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. He also accused Turkey of supporting Hamas and called President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a tyrant.
Before Netanyahu’s speech, protesters gathered outside UN headquarters with signs calling to stop the genocide. According to the outlet, several participants in the demonstration were detained, including actress Susan Sarandon.
