New York: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mounted a forceful defence of Israel’s actions in the region at the UN on Thursday, seeking to counter growing international isolation ahead of elections he could lose, as dozens of delegates streamed out.
With general elections less than five weeks away, Netanyahu spoke for about 40 minutes in what amounted to a campaign-style speech, broadcast live in evening prime time on all four of the main Israeli television channels.
Ahead of his speech, Netanyahu’s government paid to place 500 pro-Israel and anti-Iran billboards and dozens of trucks carrying messages in support of Israel across Manhattan, Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
Netanyahu, who is seen losing power in opinion polls, showcased what he said was Israel’s fight on seven fronts.
Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Netanyahu, has in the past made a visual spectacle of his UN appearances, using charts, diagrams and props to warn of Iran’s nuclear programme, which Tehran says is for civilian purposes.
On Thursday, he held up a pager in reference to an attack that crippled Iran-backed Hezbollah members in Lebanon and showed a Starlink satellite internet receiver, which he said he would leave for the Iranian delegation.
“So when they inevitably defect, they too will be able to freely tell their story on social media,” he said, adding that it was only a matter of time before the Iranian authorities would be toppled by the people.
Netanyahu also used his UN address to berate New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, calling accusations against Israel lies and accusing Mamdani of trying to silence him.
Netanyahu shamed Mamdani and others he accused of spreading what he called lies about Israel and its soldiers.
He also accused Mamdani of trying to prevent him from coming to New York.
Mamdani campaigned for office on a promise to have Netanyahu arrested for alleged war crimes should he visit the largest US city but later said he determined he lacked the legal authority to do so. This week, Mamdani described Netanyahu as “the architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians”.
Netanyahu, who rejects war crimes allegations, has made his first visit to New York since Mamdani took office in January. Israelis opposed to Netanyahu’s right-wing government are planning to protest in New York.
Several hundred protesters gathered near the United Nations, with dozens blocking traffic and chanting, “Stop arming Israel, let Gaza live” and “Stop arming Israel, let Iran live.” Police detained them.
The election campaign in Israel is unfolding amid mounting criticism of the country’s Gaza war. Netanyahu was making a short visit to the US for his UN address and, unusually, without a planned meeting with US President Donald Trump, whom he praised during his speech.
“We will continue to defend our state. We will continue to win because we have no other choice.” He added, “in this battle against the barbarians, we’ve had no greater partner than President Trump. I thank him. I thank him for his bold leadership.”
Israel has faced deepening diplomatic isolation since launching its war in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attacks on Israel nearly three years ago.
Netanyahu is unable to travel to many countries because of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, issued against him and his then-defence minister as well as the then-military commander of Hamas in 2024.
Earlier this month, once-steadfast allies Britain, France and Canada announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which drew a muted response from Washington.
-With agency input from Reuters.
