Dozens of diplomats exited the General Assembly hall in protest as Benjamin Netanyahu began a forceful defense of Israel's military operations before world leaders. The Israeli Prime Minister denied allegations of genocide in Gaza, labeling such claims the biggest lie of the 21st century and citing research from West Point's chair of Urban Warfare Studies, John Spencer. During the address, Netanyahu berated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of fueling antisemitism after the mayor campaigned on a promise to seek Netanyahu's arrest for war crimes.

Outside the United Nations, New York police detained dozens of protesters, including actor Susan Sarandon, who staged a roadway sit-in to demand a halt to US arms supplies to Israel. Mayor Mamdani later responded to the address by stating that Netanyahu's speech consisted of baseless lies and did not change the leader's status under an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. The clash occurs as Netanyahu seeks to counter increasing diplomatic isolation ahead of upcoming Israeli elections.