Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended Israel’s military campaigns in Iran, Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East during a highly confrontational address to the United Nations General Assembly, as dozens of delegates walked out in protest when he took the stage.

Netanyahu responded defiantly to the walkout, saying Israel would continue its military campaign and insisting that his country had no alternative but to keep fighting.

He also challenged those who remained in the chamber, accusing the departing delegates of lacking the courage to hear his arguments. 

The Israeli prime minister rejected allegations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, maintaining that the country’s military actions are necessary for its security and defence.

The speech came hours after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the General Assembly by video link, warning that Israeli policies were threatening the future of the Palestinian people and undermining prospects for a two-state solution.

Abbas focused particularly on the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, describing the policy as illegal and warning that it posed a serious threat to the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.

He also accused Israel of carrying out widespread destruction and causing severe humanitarian suffering in Gaza, including through military operations, food shortages and displacement.

Abbas delivered his address remotely after being denied a US entry visa.

Netanyahu attacks international critics

Netanyahu used much of his speech to criticise governments, international organisations and political leaders that have condemned Israel’s actions.

He rejected accusations that Israel was pursuing colonial policies and questioned criticism coming from European countries, including Britain and France.

The Israeli leader also disputed reports about violence by Jewish settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, arguing that the scale of such violence had been exaggerated.

However, figures published by the United Nations indicate that 23 Palestinians have been killed in the context of settler attacks during the year, with 72 deaths recorded since the beginning of 2023.

Netanyahu also launched a personal attack on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of supporting Hamas.

Erdogan had earlier told the General Assembly that the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank represented a serious humanitarian and political injustice.

The comments prompted a response from Burhanettin Duran, communications director for the Turkish presidency, who accused Netanyahu of using the UN platform to make what Turkey described as unfounded allegations against Erdogan and the Turkish government.

Clash with New York mayor

Netanyahu also criticised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had previously said during his mayoral campaign that he would seek to arrest the Israeli prime minister, before later acknowledging that he did not have the legal authority to do so.

Netanyahu claimed that Jewish residents had become less secure in New York following Mamdani's election.

Mamdani's office rejected Netanyahu's remarks, accusing the Israeli leader of using his UN address to defend Israel's conduct in Gaza and repeat what it described as false claims.

Praise for Trump and US-Israeli military cooperation

Netanyahu also praised US President Donald Trump and highlighted the close military relationship between Israel and the United States.

He referred to joint US-Israeli air strikes against Iran in February, presenting the military action as necessary to protect both countries and counter threats from Tehran.

The Israeli prime minister's emphasis on the US alliance came as Washington continues to supply military support to Israel while facing growing domestic and international debate over its policy toward the conflict.

Speech comes ahead of Israeli election

Netanyahu's address also carried a strong domestic political dimension, coming as Israel approaches a critical election.

The prime minister's long-standing reputation for national security has faced increased scrutiny since the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023.

Political opponents have questioned his handling of warnings before the attacks, following Israeli media reports alleging that his government failed to act adequately on information about a possible Hamas assault. Netanyahu has strongly rejected those allegations.

His performance at the UN is expected to become part of the wider political debate as he seeks to portray himself as a leader capable of confronting Israel's international critics and protecting the country's security interests.

The speech also contained several messages aimed at American audiences, particularly references to US-Israeli military cooperation and Netanyahu's relationship with Trump.

Netanyahu, who was born in Israel and spent part of his formative years in Pennsylvania, has long emphasised his connections to the United States and his ability to advocate for Israel among American political leaders and voters.

At the same time, public support for Israel in the United States has become increasingly divided, particularly among Democrats, while debate has also emerged within Trump's political base.

Protesters detained in New York

The political tensions surrounding Netanyahu's visit extended beyond the UN building, with several protesters detained in New York City.

Those detained included Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, actress Hannah Einbinder, Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and New York City Council member Chi Osse.

The New York Police Department said officers responded to an unscheduled demonstration after protesters were reported to be blocking a junction.

The arrests came amid demonstrations opposing Netanyahu's visit and Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

Gaza war and genocide allegations

Israel launched its ground offensive in Gaza following the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage, according to Israeli figures.

More than 73,920 people have subsequently been killed in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

Israel says its military campaign is aimed at Hamas and is necessary to defend the country following the October 2023 attack. The Israeli government has repeatedly rejected allegations that its actions amount to genocide.

Last year, the International Association of Genocide Scholars adopted a resolution stating that Israel's conduct in Gaza met the legal definition of genocide under the UN Genocide Convention.

Israel has rejected that assessment.

The International Criminal Court has also issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes. Israel disputes the allegations and the court's jurisdiction in the case.

Israel-Iran conflict

The UN speech also came amid continuing tensions between Israel, the United States and Iran.

On 28 February, Israel and the United States launched major air strikes against targets in Iran, citing concerns over Tehran's nuclear programme and the potential development of a nuclear weapon.

Iran has denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and neighbouring Gulf Arab states that host US military bases.

Against that backdrop, Netanyahu used his appearance before the UN General Assembly to defend Israel's military actions across the region and present his government as committed to confronting what it considers threats to Israeli security.

The mass walkout during his address highlighted the growing diplomatic divisions surrounding Israel's military operations, while Netanyahu's speech underscored his determination to defend those actions both internationally and to audiences at home and in the United States.