<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2026, following two days of condemnations directed at Israel. Before his speech, a protest supporting Palestinians occurred outside the UN, resulting in the arrest of actress Susan Sarandon.</p>
<p>Netanyahu stated to Israeli media prior to his arrival that he would “fight for the truth” against what he described as “terrible lies” about Israel. During his address, he faced mixed reactions from the audience, with some delegates leaving the venue as he criticized those who condemned Israel's actions.</p>
<p>His speech included a defense of Israel's military actions, particularly regarding the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, which he characterized as a necessary decision for national security. He expressed frustration at the criticism from world leaders, claiming that many privately thank Israel for its actions against Iran.</p>
<p>Netanyahu's remarks also targeted leaders from countries that have condemned Israel, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who criticized the Israeli response to violence in the West Bank. He dismissed accusations of colonialism against Israel and defended the presence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank.</p>
<p>In his address, Netanyahu specifically criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, labeling him a tyrant and accusing Turkey of spreading antisemitic sentiments. He also mentioned the domestic political climate in the U.S., calling out New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his criticisms of Israel.</p>
<p>Netanyahu downplayed concerns regarding Israeli settler violence, describing it as the actions of a few individuals and asserting that the settlers are law-abiding citizens. His comments come amid rising international scrutiny of Israel's actions in the West Bank and Gaza.</p>
<p>Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who addressed the assembly via video, criticized Israel's military actions and called for international intervention to protect Palestinian civilians. He expressed frustration over the lack of progress on peace initiatives and condemned the U.S. for denying entry visas to Palestinian officials.</p>
<p>The Iranian delegation also criticized the U.S. during the assembly, with President Masoud Pezeshkian presenting images of children affected by conflict and labeling Iran as a victim of terrorism.</p>