We and our partners do the following data processing based on your consent: store and/or access information on a device, personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development Live: Netanyahu faces UN over Gaza as Abbas set to address assembly by video Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on March 19, 2026. © AFP, Ronen Zvulun Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address the UN General Assembly on Thursday, as international scrutiny of Israel's war on Gaza and occupation of Palestinian territory takes centre stage on the third day of the annual debate. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is also due to address world leaders by video after being denied a US visa. Follow our liveblog for all the latest updates.
Israel's Netanyahu expected to denounce enemies, allies with UN spotlight Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing a difficult reelection campaign at home, addresses the UN Thursday where he is expected to lash out at both enemies as well as allies that have crossed him in recent months. Ahead of his turn at the UN's signature diplomatic week, Netanyahu said he was going to "tell the truth about you," addressing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and accusing him of "supporting the Hamas terrorist monsters." He also baselessly accused Mamdani of "inciting riots against New York Jews." Mamdani recently vowed to execute an ICC arrest warrant when the visiting leader arrived in the city for the UN's signature gathering. The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) said in 2024 it had reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for alleged war crimes in his Gaza campaign that responded to Hamas' deadly October 7, 2023 attacks.
Mamdani, who has long supported Palestinian rights and accused Israel of war crimes, fired back Tuesday and said "we all know that what the prime minister has said in that video is not true." One of Netanyahu's fiercest critics, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, will not be in the room after Washington denied him a visa to attend. Erstwhile allies of Israel Britain and France will likely be in Netanyahu's firing line Thursday. Britain has imposed limited sanctions on Israeli exports from the occupied West Bank, a move France recently followed on.
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