Netanyahu Slams 'Genocide' Claims at UN, Highlights Iran Nuclear Deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a fiery address at the UN General Assembly in New York, confronting accusations of genocide and defending Israel's actions. As he took the stage, dozens of country representatives walked out, a move Netanyahu dismissed as "hypocrisy," stating that many of these nations secretly thanked Israel for thwarting the Iranian nuclear threat. He asserted that it is "only a matter of time" until the Iranian people overcome their regime, adding that world leaders privately acknowledge Israel's role in neutralizing Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Netanyahu directly addressed the walkout, sarcastically inviting any "cowards" still present to leave. He recalled his 2009 speech at the same venue where he drew a "red line" to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, calling the decision to thwart Iran's nuclear program one of the easiest he made as prime minister, as failure would have meant "we would be dead." He argued that by defending itself, Israel also defended many of the nations whose representatives had just departed, highlighting the "hypocrisy" of their private gratitude versus public condemnation.

Drawing parallels to the Six-Day War, Netanyahu refuted claims of colonialism. He recounted the existential threat Israel faced in 1967, surrounded by enemies vowing destruction, and noted that Jewish presence in the Golan Heights predates the conflict, referencing the Bible. He criticized Britain and France for accusing Israel of colonialism, labeling it "another lie," especially given their own imperial histories. He also accused Qatar of spreading lies about Israel to indoctrinate young people and called Turkish President Erdogan a "tyrant."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg commented on Netanyahu's remarks regarding Iran, agreeing that the Iranian people are fed up with their leadership. He credited the US under President Trump for significantly degrading Iran's ballistic missile capabilities, which he deemed a threat to the Middle East and Europe, and noted that economic sanctions are pressuring the regime. Netanyahu's return to Israel was expedited due to security concerns and intelligence warnings, leading to the cancellation of any overnight stay in New York.

Earlier, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas delivered a recorded speech warning of a dangerous period for Palestinians, citing oppression, occupation, destruction, hunger, and mass killing, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. He condemned expanding settlements, the "Judaization" of Jerusalem, settler violence, and land confiscation. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking after US threats, stated Iran needs nuclear energy, not a bomb, and will not yield to aggression, while asserting that Trump's threats would unite Iran.