Netanyahu Blasts Qatar, Turkey, and NYC Mayor in Fiery UN Address
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant UN speech criticizing Qatar, Turkey, and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, drawing sharp rebukes from international diplomats.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched sweeping accusations against Qatar, Turkey, and New York City officials during his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday. Addressing the assembly, Netanyahu targeted Qatar's longstanding policies and its role in hosting Hamas leadership, asserting that Doha's objective has been to brainwash young people into hating Israel, the United States, and the West.
Qatar's Deputy Permanent Representative to Washington, Hamad Al-Muftah, quickly fired back at the Israeli premier, mocking the turnout in the UN hall. "The Israeli Prime Minister is speaking to a half-empty room—that says a lot about the support for his words," Al-Muftah stated, defending Qatar's mediation efforts alongside the United States and Egypt, and noting that its funding of American universities primarily supported satellite campuses in Doha's Education City.
Clash with New York Officials and Turkey
Netanyahu also took direct aim at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of associating with individuals who condone terrorism and turning a blind eye to anti-Semitic incidents in the city. Mamdani responded sharply on social media, stating that Netanyahu utilized the UN platform to repeat baseless falsehoods aimed at whitewashing what he termed genocide against Palestinians, while reminding the international community of the ICC arrest warrant against the Israeli leader.
Turkey also faced severe condemnation from the podium, with Netanyahu branding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a dictator and an occupier. Turkey's communications director, Burhanettin Duran, dismissed the remarks as brazen and shameful, emphasizing that Netanyahu's attempts to deflect international scrutiny over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza would not succeed.
