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Benjamin Netanyahu has branded allegations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza the 'biggest lie of the century' in a fiery address to the United Nations – after scores of delegates walked out as he took to the podium.
The Israeli Prime Minister was met with a mixture of cheers and boos as he approached the rostrum in New York, with large numbers of representatives getting to their feet and leaving the chamber.
A majority of the visible seats were left empty as Netanyahu began speaking, while his own delegation stood and applauded.
The scenes prompted General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman to repeatedly call for order.
But Netanyahu responded by turning his fire on those who had left, which included Spain, Ireland, Egypt and Syria among others.
'If there are any other moral cowards who haven't left this hall, please do so now,' he said.
The scenes came after the Palestinian Mission to the UN had urged member states to bring as many staff as possible into the chamber and 'collectively walk out of the assembly' when Netanyahu's name was announced.
The Palestinian message said the protest would demonstrate that nations were unwilling to be 'complicit in its genocide and war crimes and illegal occupation'.
Israel rejects allegations of genocide and war crimes and disputes claims that its presence in Palestinian territory is illegal.
Netanyahu, speaking to a largely hostile international audience, then launched an uncompromising defence of Israel's military actions in Gaza and its wider regional campaign against Iran.
He said the decision to attack Iran had been among the easiest he had ever made, while insisting Israel's military action was also protecting the very countries whose representatives had just walked out.
'In defending itself, Israel is also defending many of the countries whose delegates just left this hall,' Netanyahu said. 'In fact, I want you to know that many of their leaders even thank us privately for taking out Iran's nukes.'
Netanyahu, his voice rising in emphasis, said attacking Iran 'was one of the easiest decisions I've ever had to make'.
He also used the speech to directly challenge accusations that Israel's conduct in Gaza amounts to genocide.
Allegations of Israeli genocide in Gaza are not only false but 'the biggest lie of the century,' he said.
The Prime Minister pointed to what he described as Israel's efforts to protect civilians and provide aid, while accusing critics of presenting a distorted picture of the war.
