Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called accusations that his country is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip "the biggest lie of the century." Israel has not committed genocide, he said during his speech to the United Nations. "Israel has prevented genocide," Netanyahu emphasized. Had Israel not stopped the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas, it would have killed every single one of them, he said.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had previously accused Israel of a "genocidal war" in the Gaza Strip in his speech to the United Nations, shown via video. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) reiterated in ORF's ZiB2 that Austria stands by Israel. At the same time, she insisted that international humanitarian law must be respected. She described the settlement policy in the West Bank as "unacceptable."
Numerous country representatives left the hall in protest during Netanyahu's appearance. Other delegates applauded the Israeli head of government during his appearance before the UN General Assembly. Netanyahu reacted to the protest with sharp words. "If there are any more moral cowards who have not yet left this hall, please do so now."
Arrests at Anti-Netanyahu Demo
While the Israeli Prime Minister was delivering his speech at the United Nations headquarters, police in New York arrested at least 30 people during protests against Netanyahu outside the UN building. Among them were Oscar winner Susan Sarandon, Emmy winner Hannah Einbinder, and local politicians. The approximately 200 demonstrators had gathered in front of the UN headquarters before Netanyahu's speech. The rally was organized by "Jewish Voice for Peace." The group "Jewish Voice for Peace" describes itself as Jewish, left-wing, and anti-Zionist.
The participants blocked traffic and wore matching white T-shirts with slogans such as "Money for people, not for bombs," "No war," and "Free Palestine." After the police ordered the crowd to leave the street via loudspeakers, many demonstrators remained seated on the asphalt. Police officers pulled demonstrators out of the group one by one, handcuffed them, and took them to police buses. There, the activists continued to chant "Netanyahu, go to hell." A small group of pro-Israeli demonstrators also gathered not far from the UN.
Netanyahu Attacks Mamdani
Netanyahu also sharply attacked New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani during his speech. Israel's Prime Minister called Mamdani an "antisemitic mayor of New York" and accused him of repeatedly falsely accusing Israel of genocide.
Netanyahu also accused the mayor of trying to prevent his visit to New York and to silence him. "Well, you cannot silence me. You cannot silence the truth," said the Israeli head of government.
Mamdani is one of Netanyahu's harshest critics in the US. He calls the Israeli head of government a war criminal and accuses Israel of genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Defense of the War Against Iran
Netanyahu defended the war against Iran. "The destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities was difficult, it was a very difficult undertaking, but for me it was one of the easiest decisions I have ever had to make as Prime Minister – because if we hadn't done it, we would all be dead."
"I swore to prevent Iran's murderous dictatorship from developing nuclear bombs – nuclear weapons aimed at the destruction of Israel, nuclear weapons that could threaten the whole world," he continued. "That is exactly what we did."
The actual extent of the permanent weakening of Iran's nuclear program is assessed differently by the International Atomic Energy Agency, intelligence services, and experts. In the unclassified annual report of the US intelligence services, it was stated that there was no indication of a political decision to build a nuclear bomb in Iran.
The Iranian People Will Be Free
Netanyahu also expects the overthrow of the Iranian leadership. "One day – and that day may not be far off – the Iranian people will be free. "The power of the people will defeat those in power." Iran's government will "perish by its lies, its corruption, its cruelty."
The leadership in Tehran is afraid – especially of its own, courageous people, Netanyahu continued. Netanyahu had most recently stated at the beginning of September that the overthrow of the Iranian leadership was "the most important task that still lies ahead of us." He is firmly convinced that this is possible.
Israeli media had reported before Netanyahu's speech that it would also be aimed at the domestic audience. A new parliament will be elected in Israel on October 27. According to polls, it could be difficult for Netanyahu's camp to secure a majority.
Qatar, meanwhile, rejected Netanyahu's accusation that it was trying to incite public opinion against Israel. A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Doha stated on X that Netanyahu's repeated attacks on his country were aimed at distracting from responsibility for his own policies on the ground. (APA, dpa, Reuters)
