DOMINANT ANGLE
Rome is dissecting a scathing speech in which Netanyahu took aim at France, the United Kingdom, Qatar, Turkey, and the mayor of New York, in front of a nearly empty room at the UN, as dozens of delegations had walked out.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Netanyahu termed the genocide accusation the "greatest lie of the century", citing one million polio vaccinations and two million tons of food distributed to Gaza (Libero Quotidiano).
- 02
Dozens of delegations walked out of the General Assembly hall upon his arrival; he called them "moral cowards" (ANSA).
- 03
New York police arrested actress Susan Sarandon among around 250 protesters gathered by Jewish Voice for Peace outside the UN headquarters (Adnkronos, ANSA).
ANALYSIS
Rome, September 25, 2026. The Italian press reports on a speech at the UN General Assembly that was perceived as a comprehensive offensive, delivered on Thursday to a half-empty room. Dozens of delegations left the hemicycle upon the arrival of Benyamin Netanyahu, with some chanting pro-Palestinian slogans; the Israeli Prime Minister addressed them, saying, "If there are still moral cowards who have not left this room, let them do so now," according to ANSA. He rejected the accusation of genocide in Gaza, calling it the "biggest lie of the century," assuring that Israel "did not commit genocide" but "avoided it," citing one million polio vaccinations and two million tons of food distributed in the enclave, as reported by Libero Quotidiano.
The indictment then targets several capitals. Netanyahu reproaches France and the United Kingdom for having labeled Israel as "colonialist," returning the accusation by reminding them that they "invented the term," notes ANSA. He accuses Qatar of spreading "lies" and refers to Turkish President Erdogan as a "tyrant." The Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, despite an olive branch extended earlier, is labeled "anti-Semitic" and "a friend of Hamas." Mamdani responds by denouncing "unfounded lies" meant to "whitewash his genocide of Palestinians," recalling that Netanyahu remains under an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, as reported by La Repubblica.
The only acknowledgement in the speech is for Donald Trump, praised for his "courageous leadership" after the strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, without which Tehran would have, according to Netanyahu, implemented its "wild fantasies." Israel and the United States, he says, acted to "save civilization." The violent settlers in the West Bank are downplayed to "a handful of young vandals, about 150 people."
Outside the Glass Palace, the New York police arrested some of the approximately 250 protesters gathered by Jewish Voice for Peace, including actress Susan Sarandon, Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, and city councilor Chi Osséo; Cynthia Nixon, Hannah Einbinder, and Elliot Page were also present. Netanyahu dismissed the mobilization, speaking of "fake human rights activists."
SOURCES (4)
- AdnkronosMEDIUM
- Libero QuotidianoMEDIUM
