Overview
- Benjamin Netanjahu spoke to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, as dozens of national delegations left the hall and thousands protested outside the UN complex.
- The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Netanjahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity tied to Gaza, a development that framed the protests and diplomatic reactions.
- New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani had called for demonstrations and earlier suggested using the ICC warrant, but he and city officials say they lack the legal authority to execute an ICC arrest in New York.
- In his speech Netanjahu defended Israeli military actions, attacked Mayor Mamdani as antisemitic, and said strikes on Iranian nuclear sites were necessary to prevent an existential threat.
- Mahmoud Abbas was denied a U.S. visa and addressed the Assembly by video, a decision that together with the walkouts and protests is deepening international tensions and raising questions about how cities, national governments, and courts will handle enforcement and diplomacy going forward.