In a statement issued after Netanyahu's speech on Thursday, Mamdani said Netanyahu had made similar remarks before. He claimed that through such remarks, attempts are being made to cover up allegations raised over Israel's actions in Gaza.

In his UN speech, Netanyahu criticized Mamdani and referred to him as ‘anti-Semitic’. He alleged that due to Mamdani's remarks, many Jews in New York do not feel safe. Netanyahu also rejected allegations of genocide against Israel in Gaza and said Israel did not commit genocide.

Mamdani said in response that no statement can change the matter of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Netanyahu. In 2024, the ICC issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu and then-Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza war. Israel has been rejecting these allegations.

Meanwhile, at the very start of Netanyahu's speech, representatives from several dozen countries walked out of the UN General Assembly hall. At the same time, pro-Palestinian protests were also held outside the United Nations.

Source: Middle East Eye, Al Jazeera and Dawn