‘I’m going to tell the truth’: Netanyahu hits back at Mamdani ahead of UN speech
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday he would use his address to the United Nations this week to defend Israel’s military actions against Palestinians. Hitting out at the New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, he also accused him of supporting Hamas.Netanyahu is due to address the UN general assembly on Thursday. His remarks came after Mamdani, speaking to CNN on Monday, described Netanyahu as a “war criminal and an architect of a horrific genocide of the Palestinian people”.“I’m coming to the UN,” Netanyahu said in a brief video statement. “I’m going to tell the truth about our heroic soldiers, and I’m going to tell the truth about you (Mamdani).”
Netanyahu hits out at Mamdani
Netanyahu also accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas and inciting unrest against Jewish people in New York.“Shame on you, Mr Mamdani,” Netanyahu said. “Shame on you for supporting the Hamas terrorist monsters who butchered our people. Shame on you for inciting riots against New York Jews.”Mamdani has previously said he would arrest Netanyahu, but later acknowledged that he did not have the power to do so.Some Republican opponents have accused Mamdani of antisemitism over his pro-Palestinian advocacy and criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Mamdani has condemned antisemitism and said his criticism of Israel is wrongly conflated with antisemitism.
Israel-Gaza war
The Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 others being kidnapped, according to Israeli authorities.Israel responded with an air and ground offensive that it says is aimed at dismantling Hamas’ military and governing capabilities. More than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health officials, whose figures do not distinguish between fighters and non-combatants.Israel has denied committing genocide in Gaza. It says it is fighting Hamas militants and accuses the group of operating from civilian areas.
Netanyahu to defend Israel at UN
Netanyahu’s spokesman Doron Spielman said last week that the prime minister would use the UN platform to present Israel’s position.“and he’s going to use that platform to address the truth in a forum of countries that are often buying a false narrative about Israel,” Spielman told Reuters.“It’s one of the most important stages for the Prime Minister of Israel to stand on and present the truth to the world. That’s our goal. He’s not intimidated by anybody. He’s not intimidated by Mayor Mamdani,” he said.
