Netanyahu slams Mamdani, calls Trump Israel’s greatest partner in UNGA address

In a theatrics-filled speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose address on Thursday was punctuated by a walkout among a number of delegates, slammed New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and thanked US President Donald Trump. 

The chair had to repeatedly call the session to order before Netanyahu could start talking as, amid the walkout, a number of the Israeli’s supporters chanted “the people of Israel live”. 

Netanyahu began his address by inviting “moral cowards” who hadn’t already left the room to do so, Reuters reports.

He then went on to his theatrics.

"With our great American friends, we crushed Iran's army, navy, air force and nuclear facilities," Netanyahu said to applause from his supporters in the viewing gallery.

"Israel hammered Hamas. We pummeled Hezbollah. You remember the beepers? Remember these things? Remember them?" he said, holding up a pager.

"No? Well, I can tell you this because Hezbollah certainly remembers them," he said.

On September 17, 2024, a wave of remote explosions hit thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah members across Lebanon and parts of Syria.

Over 39 people were killed, including children and healthcare workers, and roughly 3,400 were wounded.

Holding up a Starlink internet receiver, the Israeli leader said he would leave it for the Iranian delegation "so when they inevitably defect, they too will be able to freely tell their story on social media." 

Netanyahu then thanked Trump, calling him Israel's greatest partner.

He then launched into scathing critiques of various antagonists, including the Gulf state of Qatar, which he accused of bankrolling efforts to brainwash young minds into hating America and Israel.

He also laid into Turkey's President Tayyip Erdoğan, calling him a "tyrant."

As was expected, the Israeli leader used his address to launch a vitriolic attack on New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has called Netanyahu a war criminal.

He labelled Mamdani antisemitic and accused him of spreading lies about Israel and its military.

"Shame on you for distorting the facts. Shame on you for inverting victim and aggressor. Shame on you for spitting in the face of truth," he said.

"Mr Mamdani, since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York. They talk to me. They tell me, 'This isn't the city we remember. It changed so quickly,'" Netanyahu said.

"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," he said.

He went on to say that Israel had not committed a genocide but had prevented one.

Israel has consistently denied perpetrating a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, saying it was fighting Hamas militants and accusing the group of hiding behind civilians.

Netanyahu referred to Hamas as Mamdani's "buddies."