Netanyahu address to UN General Assembly and New York protests
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly, defending Israel's military action in Gaza and claiming the war was the 'opposite of a genocide'. His speech was met with a mass walkout by delegates inside the assembly hall and large protests in New York, where more than 100 demonstrators were reportedly arrested. Public figures including Susan Sarandon, Chelsea Manning and Caleb Hearon were among those detained. The event also drew commentary from former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides.
Last known state
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly with a defiant defense of Israeli military action in Gaza, calling the war the 'opposite of a genocide', as delegates walked out and New York police arrested more than 100 protesters including Susan Sarandon, Chelsea Manning and Caleb Hearon.
4 sources · 4 reports · Last updated 26 Sept 2026
Latest development
Netanyahu's UN speech included the claim that Israel's Gaza war was the 'opposite of a genocide', while New York protests saw more than 100 arrests including Susan Sarandon, Chelsea Manning and Caleb Hearon.
Developments
- Key development
Netanyahu delivered a defiant UN General Assembly speech defending Israeli military action in Gaza, claiming the war was the 'opposite of a genocide' and labelling delegates who walked out as 'moral cowards'.
- Key development
Large protests in New York against Netanyahu's presence resulted in more than 100 arrests, with public figures Susan Sarandon, Chelsea Manning and Caleb Hearon among those detained.
Earlier coverage
- Protests erupt as Netanyahu gives inflammatory UN speech - The Latest More than 100 people were arrested at large protests against the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the UN general assembly. Susan Sarandon, Chelsea Manning and Caleb Hearon were among the famous faces arrested. Inside the assembly hall, Netanyahu faced a mass walkout as he took to the stage. Then, in an inflammatory address, he claimed Israel’s war in Gaza was the ‘opposite of a genocide’ and la…
- Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel on Netanyahu's speech at UNGA NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
- Israeli PM Netanyahu delivers fiery, defiant speech at UN General Assembly The speech came as demonstrators gathered in New York to protest against the Israeli leader, with around 100 people reportedly detained by police.