Mamdani challenges Netanyahu’s UN speech as delegates walk out

NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, referring to the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against the Israeli leader.

Mamdani said Netanyahu’s statements at the UN could not erase the ICC proceedings against him. The mayor accused the Israeli prime minister of using his speech to defend Israel’s actions in Gaza and reject international criticism.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip. Israel has rejected the allegations.

Mamdani had previously called on US federal authorities to enforce the ICC warrant against Netanyahu, while acknowledging that New York City officials do not have the legal authority to make such an arrest.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, used his UN address to defend Israel’s military actions and strongly criticised his opponents. He accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas, an allegation the New York mayor has denied.

The Israeli premier also criticised several European leaders and accused Qatar and Turkiye of spreading what he described as false claims about Israel.

His speech was disrupted by a large walkout, with dozens of delegates leaving the assembly hall as he began speaking. Netanyahu described those who walked out as “moral cowards”, while supporters in the gallery voiced support for Israel.

Qatar rejected Netanyahu’s accusations, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari saying the claims were an attempt to shift attention away from Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Al-Ansari also rejected the suggestion that growing international criticism of Israel, particularly among younger people, was the result of organised influence campaigns. He said public opinion was being shaped by what people were witnessing in Gaza.

He urged Israel to reconsider its policies, comply with international law and take responsibility for its actions.

Turkiye also dismissed Netanyahu’s criticism. Turkish presidential communications director Burhanettin Duran described the Israeli leader’s remarks targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkiye as baseless.

Meanwhile, several hundred protesters gathered near the UN headquarters in New York. Demonstrators called for an end to US arms supplies to Israel and demanded an end to the Gaza conflict. Police detained a number of protesters after some blocked traffic.