Netanyahu Slams NYC Mayor Adams at UN Over War Crime Accusations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fiercely responded from the UN podium to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who had threatened to seek his arrest and accused Israel of war crimes. Netanyahu declared, "You tried to silence me, but you cannot silence the truth, Israel did not commit genocide, Israel prevented genocide." He added, "The days when Jews were defenseless victims are over."

Netanyahu's remarks came after Adams had led a frontal assault against the Prime Minister's visit to New York, labeling him a "war criminal" and threatening action based on International Criminal Court warrants. Despite the threats and aggressive rhetoric, Adams later had to admit he lacked the legal authority to arrest a foreign leader with diplomatic immunity.

Addressing the attempts to prevent his UN appearance, Netanyahu stated, "You tried to prevent me from coming here and to silence me, but you cannot silence me or the truth." He asserted that Israel prevented genocide, contrasting it with what Hamas would have done. Netanyahu warned that the lies spread by Adams and other antisemites about Jews and the Jewish state have real consequences, citing threats and attacks against Jews in major cities worldwide.

Concluding his address, Netanyahu sent a clear message: "I have news for them: The days when Jews were defenseless victims, going like sheep to the slaughter, those days are over. Today we have a state, we have an army, we have a people ready and willing to defend themselves. Today I have one message to Jews all over the world: Hold your heads high, be proud!"