From ABC7 New York · · 1m 40s
Netanyahu Defends Israel at UNGA Amid Protests
Netanyahu addresses UN General Assembly while New York protesters demand his arrest.
In brief
Netanyahu addresses UN General Assembly while New York protesters demand his arrest. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel's actions in Gaza during his UN speech, facing protests in New York over accusations of genocide and war crimes. Originally reported by ABC7 New York.
Netanyahu speaks at UN General Assembly
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered his 15th address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, defending Israel's conduct in the war against Hamas.
“If there are any other moral cowards who have not yet left the hall, please do so now”
Netanyahu criticizes New York mayor
Netanyahu sharply criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for falsely accusing Israel of genocide and attempting to silence him.
“You falsely, repeatedly accuse Israel of genocide, Mr. Mamdani. You tried to stop me from coming here. You tried to silence me. Well, you can't silence me. You can't silence the truth”
Netanyahu defends Israel's actions
Netanyahu stated Israel prevented genocide by stopping Hamas, which would have killed every last Israeli if not for Israel's intervention.
“Israel didn't commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide. And that's exactly, that's exactly what Mr. Mamdani's Hamas buddies would have done to us, had we not stopped them. They would have killed every last one of us”
Mamdani responds to Netanyahu
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called Netanyahu's speech a repetition of baseless lies meant to sanitize the Palestinian genocide.
“the prime minister used his speech to repeat baseless lies meant to sanitize the genocide of Palestinians”
Palestinian leader addresses UN
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the General Assembly by video, accusing Israel of state terrorism and ethnic cleansing.
“Our people are being subjected at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces to killing, destruction, starvation and attempts at displacement, as well as a genocidal war that has created an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe”
Protesters block UN access
Over 300 New Yorkers sat in the roadway outside the UN, blocking traffic on First Avenue and closing it for a pop-up protest as Netanyahu arrived in New York.
“We have over 300 New Yorkers who are sitting in and protesting Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations General Assembly Thursday”
Police arrest protesters
The NYPD arrested 104 people for disorderly conduct, including actress Susan Sarandon, after protesters refused to disperse.
“Police ordered the crowd to disperse and warned that arrests would follow if people did not leave”
Celebrities join protest
Actress Cynthia Nixon and assemblywoman Diana Moreno participated in the protest, calling for Netanyahu's arrest and support for Palestinian families.
“Horrendous genocide that the Palestinian people are undergoing right now. The bombing, the starvation, the targeting of journalists, of hospitals and having Netanyahu here, who should be in jail for his war crimes, here addressing the UN in a position of honor is galling”
Netanyahu faces ICC warrant
Netanyahu is subject to an international criminal court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes, including using starvation as a weapon of warfare.
“there was reason to believe Netanyahu used starvation as a weapon of warfare by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeting civilians in the campaign against Hamas”
What it means
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel's actions in Gaza during his UN speech, facing protests in New York over accusations of genocide and war crimes.
