NETANYAHU CALLS GAZA GENOCIDE CLAIMS BIGGEST LIE OF THE CENTURY AT UN

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday that genocide allegations against Israel amount to "the biggest lie of the century." Most delegates walked out as he took the podium, leaving many seats empty. Netanyahu dismissed those who left as "moral cowards" and said Israel would "continue to win" against those seeking its destruction. He said attacking Iran had been "one of the easiest decisions" he had ever made. General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman repeatedly called for "order in the hall" as delegates left.

Netanyahu also rejected accusations of Israeli colonialism in the West Bank and East Jerusalem made earlier by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who addressed the assembly by video link after the Trump administration denied him a visa; Netanyahu called the claim "another lie." He described violence by Jewish settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, which has drawn wide condemnation, as the actions of "a handful of young juvenile delinquents." He asked what "genocidal regime" would provide a million polio vaccinations to Gaza's population or allow two million tons of food to be distributed there. Netanyahu also criticised other leaders, including New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The address was seen as aimed at Israeli voters ahead of a general election due in October. Netanyahu said Israel's actions against Iran also protected other countries whose delegates had left the hall, adding that several leaders had privately thanked Israel for "taking out Iran's nukes." His speech followed a week of addresses at the assembly in which other world leaders accused Israel of genocide and war crimes in Gaza. Netanyahu urged any remaining "moral cowards" still in the chamber to leave before he continued.