# Netanyahu defends settlements at UN despite global backlash

> The Israeli PM faced walkouts and protests while downplaying settler violence and dismissing genocide allegations.
- Title: Netanyahu defends settlements at UN despite global backlash
- Summary: The Israeli PM faced walkouts and protests while downplaying settler violence and dismissing genocide allegations. Netanyahu minimized documented settler…
- Keywords: benjamin netanyahu, israel, west bank settlements, united nations general assembly, settler violence, palestine, icc arrest warrant, war crimes, gaza bombardment, international condemnation, Netanyahu, defends
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/09/netanyahu-mamdani-israel-united-nations-general-assembly-speech
- Author: Sophie Hurwitz
- Published: 2026-09-24T17:30:56+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: benjamin netanyahu, israel, west bank settlements, united nations general assembly, settler violence, palestine, icc arrest warrant, war crimes, gaza bombardment, international condemnation
## Netanyahu faces mounting pressure at UN
The Israeli PM arrived at the General Assembly facing an ICC arrest warrant for war crimes, walkouts from half his audience, and street protests outside. Eleven European countries and Canada announced sanctions on Israeli settlements, while 62 percent of Americans view his government negatively.
## Netanyahu claims victory in multiple conflicts
Netanyahu thanked the US for partnership in what he called the battle against barbarians, claiming Israel delivered crippling blows to Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and Palestinian resistance. He offered no specifics on civilian casualties or the scale of destruction.

> We delivered crippling blows to all of them.
## Netanyahu minimizes settler violence
Netanyahu dismissed West Bank settlers as only 150 juvenile delinquents throwing stones, claiming just two or three Palestinians have been killed. A UN report contradicts this, documenting 81 Palestinian deaths by settlers or soldiers this year, including 18 children.

> Only maybe two, three people have been killed by settlers.
## Eyewitness accounts reveal escalating violence
A Palestinian New Yorker visiting his West Bank village reported seeing more Israeli flags, soldiers, and settler camps than ever before. Locals described settlers beating Palestinians with gun butts or shooting at them, often while Israeli soldiers watched without intervening.

> Since the genocide, a lot of Israeli soldiers have kind of been more on edge with Palestinians.
## Netanyahu dismisses genocide allegations
Netanyahu spent thirty minutes calling genocide allegations in Gaza the greatest lie of the century. He also attacked Mayor Zohran Mamdani and podcaster Hasan Piker by name during his speech.
## Netanyahu operates with exceptional impunity
Despite an ICC arrest warrant, Netanyahu travels freely while other indicted leaders like Putin face travel restrictions. Civil rights lawyers note that most indicted war criminals don't leave their countries, making Netanyahu's UN appearance an exception for Israel.

> Most indicted war criminals do not leave their countries, but Netanyahu just breezes in and out.
## US shows no signs of sanctioning settlers
Despite Trump's ambassador Mike Huckabee calling settler conduct terrorism, the White House and Congress appear opposed to sanctioning settlers. Federal authorities could follow the UK and France's lead, but show no indication they will.
## Key takeaway

Netanyahu minimized documented settler killings as isolated incidents while facing an ICC arrest warrant and widespread international condemnation.