Netanyahu lashed Mamdani in fiery U.N. speech, but real aim was his own political survival, analyst says

Key Points:

• Hundreds of delegates walked out of the United Nations General Assembly as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a fiery speech defending the seven-month war on Iran, rejecting genocide allegations in Gaza, and attacking New York City's Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
• Netanyahu's speech was largely aimed at shoring up his political position ahead of Israel's legislative elections on October 27, with analysts suggesting he sought to consolidate his right-wing base by portraying himself as a strong leader standing against global hostility.
• Protesters near the U.N. headquarters condemned Netanyahu and the U.S. for continuing arms sales to Israel, with many accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, a claim Netanyahu vehemently denied, calling it "the greatest lie of the century."
• The war has resulted in significant casualties, with over 73,000 deaths in Gaza reported by U.N. sources citing Gaza's health ministry, although Israel disputes these figures and has not provided its own estimates.
• Netanyahu's hopes for political support include a potential endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who has shown some signs of backing Netanyahu but has yet to provide a formal endorsement ahead of the Israeli elections.