Netanyahu Blasts Israel’s Critics in Fiery UN Address

“Mr. Mamdani, you can’t silence me. You can’t silence the truth,” Netanyahu said.

By United with Israel Staff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative defense of Israel at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, taking aim at accusations of genocide and colonialism, denouncing Hamas and its supporters, and predicting the eventual fall of Iran’s ruling regime.

“For three years, the brave soldiers of the IDF have been fighting a seven-front war,” Netanyahu told the General Assembly. “But there is an eighth front: the war for truth.”

Netanyahu said accusations that Israel committed genocide in Gaza were “the greatest lie of the century,” arguing that Israel had instead prevented Hamas from carrying out its own genocidal aims.

He directly addressed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a vocal critic of the Israeli government who has accused Netanyahu of war crimes and genocide.

“Mr. Mamdani, you can’t silence me. You can’t silence the truth,” Netanyahu said. “Israel didn’t commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide. That’s what Mr. Mamdani’s Hamas buddies would’ve done.”

Netanyahu also mocked allegations that Israel is a colonial power.

“They accuse tiny Israel of colonialism,” Netanyahu said. “Even France and Britain accuse us. For God’s sake, they invented the term. What nonsense.”

Turning to the Oct. 7 massacre, Netanyahu argued that Hamas’s attack demonstrated that the conflict was not driven by the presence of Israeli troops or communities in Gaza, noting that Israel had withdrawn from the territory years earlier.

“There wasn’t a single Israeli there, not a civilian and not a soldier. But for Hamas, it didn’t matter,” Netanyahu said. He accused Hamas terrorists of carrying out “the greatest massacre since the Holocaust” and murdering Israelis who had helped Gazans reach jobs inside Israel.

Netanyahu also confronted French President Emmanuel Macron, pointing to the recent killing of French-Israeli citizen Netanel Shukrun in Judea and Samaria. Macron had used his own UN address to advocate for Palestinian rights and argue that a political settlement was necessary for Israel’s security.

“Days ago, a French citizen, Netanel Shukrun, was shot to death while visiting a spring with his son, and a Hamas terrorist shot him at point-blank range,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister also attacked Qatar, accusing it of financing media designed to turn public opinion against Israel and the United States and of hosting senior Hamas figures involved in the Oct. 7 attack.

He similarly lashed out at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, declaring: “Erdogan is a tyrant who hosts the Hamas terror chiefs.” Netanyahu also criticized Turkey over its control of northern Cyprus and accused Erdogan of seeking greater control in Syria.

Addressing Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Netanyahu invoked the Jewish people’s ancient connection to the region.

“Mr. al-Sharaa, Jews have been in the Golan since the time of Moses,” Netanyahu said.

“By the way, the word ‘Jew’ comes from Judea. That’s our land,” he added.

A significant portion of Netanyahu’s address focused on Iran and Israel’s military cooperation with the United States. He thanked President Donald Trump and said the two countries had confronted a threat extending far beyond their own national interests.

“Israel and America acted together not only for ourselves, but to save civilization,” Netanyahu said.

He also credited cooperation with Washington with helping secure the return of Israeli hostages.

Turning directly to the Iranian people, Netanyahu predicted that the Islamic Republic’s leadership would ultimately be overthrown from within.

“In Iran, it’s only a matter of time before the power of the people overcomes the people in power,” Netanyahu said.

“One day, and it may not be far away, this evil regime will fall. And we will all celebrate that day.”

Netanyahu closed his broader defense of Israel with a declaration of resolve.

“The eternity of Israel will not falter,” he said. “We have no other choice.”