Netanyahu calls Gaza genocide claims 'the biggest lie of the century' as scores of delegates walk out of UNGA
Israel's prime minister addressed a half-empty UN General Assembly hall after scores of delegates walked out, rejecting genocide allegations and asserting Israel's right to strike Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly on Thursday that allegations of Israeli genocide in Gaza were “the biggest lie of the century”, in a defiant address delivered to a hall emptied by a mass delegation walkout.
Scores of delegates marched out as Netanyahu walked to the rostrum, leaving a majority of visible seats empty, according to The Hindu and the Hindustan Times. The Palestinian mission to the UN had earlier urged member states to “collectively walk out” once the Israeli prime minister was announced.
Netanyahu denounced those who walked out as “moral cowards”, adding: “If there are any other moral cowards who have not yet left the hall, please do so now.” He said attacking Iran “was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make” and asserted Israel’s right to wage war against Iran, claiming that many leaders of the countries whose delegates had left “even thank us privately for taking out Iran’s nukes”.
The address followed a week in which world leaders accused Israel of genocide and war crimes in Gaza. A UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded this month that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Eastern Herald. Israel denies the charge, and a decision is pending at the International Court of Justice.
Outside the building, New York police arrested dozens of protesters, including actors Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder, at a rally organised by Jewish Voice for Peace, which said more than 104 people were detained.
Sources
- The Hindu: Netanyahu, at UN, calls accusations of genocide in Gaza ‘the biggest lie of the century’
- Hindustan Times: ‘Biggest lie of the century’: Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Gaza genocide allegations in UNGA speech
- SABC News: Number of delegates walk out at UNGA before Netanyahu speech
- Eastern Herald: Netanyahu Calls Gaza Genocide ‘Greatest Lie’ at UN
- The Times: Netanyahu condemns ‘genocide lie’ as celebrity protesters arrested
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