Netanyahu’s UN Speech Sparks Widespread Criticism; Accusations Fly Against Critics
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime, last week addressed the United Nations General Assembly. During his speech, while defending Israel’s actions in the Gaza war, he verbally attacked governments and individuals who have criticized Israel, including Turkey, Qatar, and Zahran Mamedov, the Mayor of New York. His address was met with a significant exodus of delegates from the hall, prompting Netanyahu to label those who left as ‘moral cowards’.
Abusive and Hateful Remarks
Burhanettin Duran, Director of Communications for the Turkish Presidency, dismissed Netanyahu’s statements against Ankara and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as ‘baseless accusations.’ He stated that such remarks could not divert attention from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the ongoing international legal proceedings against the Israeli Prime Minister.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Majed Al-Ansari, Spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, refuted Netanyahu’s accusation that Doha was orchestrating an anti-Israel campaign. He asserted that the declining global support for Israel, particularly among youth, stems from direct observation of developments on the ground, not ‘influence campaigns.’ Al-Ansari emphasized that Israeli officials must change their policies, respect international law, and take responsibility for their actions to alter global perceptions.
Hamad Al-Miftah, Deputy Ambassador of Qatar to Washington, also criticized Netanyahu’s speech, noting the large number of representatives who left the UN hall. He also denied Netanyahu’s claim that Qatar finances American universities, stating that Doha’s relationship with Hamas has enabled it to play a mediating role in negotiations involving Israel, the United States, and Egypt.
Verbal Attack on New York Mayor
In his speech, Netanyahu referred to Zahran Mamedov, the Mayor of New York, as the ‘antisemitic mayor of New York’ and accused him of disseminating false information about Israel. Mamedov rejected these accusations, stating that Netanyahu was repeating ‘baseless lies’ to defend Israel’s conduct toward Palestinians.
Prior to Netanyahu’s speech, Mamedov had posted images of planting an olive tree alongside Palestinian families in New York, writing: ‘May peace be our future.’
Criticism from Within Occupied Territories
Gideon Levy, an Israeli journalist for the Haaretz newspaper, also criticized Netanyahu’s speech, remarking that the Israeli Prime Minister accuses others of ‘barbarism’ while the extensive destruction in Gaza raises serious questions about Israel’s actions.
Levy questioned Netanyahu’s narrative of Israel confronting ‘barbarism,’ citing the reported deaths of Palestinian children. He asked, ‘If the killing of a thousand infants under one year old by Israeli forces is not a sign of barbarism, then what is?’
