Dozens of diplomatic envoys from various member states vacated the general assembly hall on Thursday in protest as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address to the 81st UN General Assembly. Netanyahu was met with boos and jeers from the remaining attendees, but he used the podium to deny that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, calling the accusation the biggest lie of the 21st century. He cited work by John Spencer of West Point to argue that Israel actually prevented genocide and directly attacked New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of antisemitism and attempts to silence the Israeli leader.

Outside the United Nations, New York City police arrested roughly 100 protesters, including actors Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder. Mayor Mamdani responded to Netanyahu's comments by labeling the prime minister a war criminal and stating that his rhetoric cannot erase an active arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. The incident took place as Israel faces intensifying criticism from world leaders at the assembly over its military campaign in Gaza and the West Bank.