Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, calling the accusation “the biggest lie of the century” during a confrontational address to the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 24.
Netanyahu defended Israel’s military campaign and said Israel had acted in self-defence following the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023. He also argued that Israel had taken steps to provide food and medical assistance to Palestinians in Gaza.
His speech was met with a major walkout. Scores of delegates left the General Assembly hall as Netanyahu approached the podium, leaving many seats empty while he began speaking. The UN General Assembly president repeatedly called for order.
Netanyahu responded by criticizing those who left and accused Israel’s international critics of ignoring what he described as the threat posed by Hamas and Iran. He also strongly defended Israel’s decision to conduct military operations against Iran, describing that decision as among the easiest he had made as prime minister.
The genocide allegation remains a major international dispute. South Africa brought a case against Israel before the International Court of Justice under the Genocide Convention. The court has issued provisional measures in the case, but it has not issued a final ruling determining whether Israel committed genocide.
At the same time, an independent UN Commission of Inquiry concluded in 2025 that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Israel has rejected that finding. The competing positions underline the continuing legal and political dispute over Israel’s conduct during the war.
The humanitarian toll in Gaza was also central to speeches during this year’s UN General Assembly. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking by prerecorded video after being denied a US visa, called for greater international action to protect Palestinians and criticized countries that continue supplying Israel with weapons.
Netanyahu also used his address to criticize New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Qatar and Turkey, while defending Israel’s actions against Iran and its broader security policies. His speech came as Israel prepares for elections scheduled for Oct. 27.
Outside the United Nations, hundreds of protesters demonstrated against Netanyahu’s visit and Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The protests continued as his speech was underway, with more than 100 people reportedly arrested during demonstrations in New York.
The dramatic scenes inside and outside the UN reflected the deep international divisions surrounding the Gaza war. Netanyahu used the world stage to reject the genocide allegations and defend Israel’s military actions, while Palestinian representatives and many governments have continued to demand greater accountability and protection for civilians.
The confrontation at the UN therefore left the central dispute unresolved — with the legal proceedings, humanitarian crisis and international debate over Israel’s conduct in Gaza continuing well beyond Netanyahu’s address.
