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.
Current 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 · Updated 26 Sept 2026
What changed
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.