Mass Walkout Greets Netanyahu at UN as Israeli PM Defends War and Slams Critics

UPDATE - follow-up to Israel's Netanyahu, at UN, calls accusations of genocide in Gaza 'the biggest lie of the century': Scores of delegates walked out of the UN General Assembly and a majority of visible seats sat empty as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium on September 24, 2026. A mix of cheers, boos, and mass walkouts erupted in the hall, prompting General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman to repeatedly call for order. Mr. Netanyahu denounced the departing delegates as moral cowards and stated that attacking Iran was one of his easiest decisions. He claimed many world leaders thank Israel privately for taking out Iran's nukes and thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for taking decisive action against Iran. The Palestinian Mission to the UN had urged member nations to bring staff and collectively walk out to protest the war and occupation. During his speech, Mr. Netanyahu held up a pager to reference the September 17, 2024, remote detonations targeting Hezbollah, and he compared the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack to 40,000 Americans slaughtered in less than 24 hours. Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the assembly via prerecorded video after the U.S. denied him and other top officials visas.