---
title: "Netanyahu accuses UK and France of inventing colonialism term"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/netanyahu-accuses-uk-and-france-of-inventing-colonialism-term"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/netanyahu-accuses-uk-and-france-of-inventing-colonialism-term"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/netanyahu-accuses-uk-and-france-of-inventing-colonialism-term.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/netanyahu-accuses-uk-and-france-of-inventing-colonialism-term"
category: "Politics"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-09-25T05:45:50.329Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-25T05:09:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-25T05:45:50.329Z"
trust_score: 68
critic_score: 87
hype_score: 15
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-25T06:30:26.577832+00:00"
---

# Netanyahu accuses UK and France of inventing colonialism term

*Israeli Prime Minister also decried a UK trade ban on West Bank settlements during UN address.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 68 of 100, higher is better. Trust 68 – many independent digests, Netanyahu named, UN location given, no cited documents or detailed figures.
- Craft 87 of 100, higher is better. Critic 87 – explains context, quotes Netanyahu, clear facts, specific names, coherent story.
- Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15 – language measured, no clickbait or exaggerated headlines.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly that Britain and France invented the term 'colonialism'.
- The UK announced a trade ban on illegal West Bank settlements, which Netanyahu referenced.
- Dozens of delegates walked out of the UN General Assembly during Netanyahu's speech.
- Netanyahu is facing a re-election battle and is trailing in the polls.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, accusing Britain and France of inventing the term 'colonialism'. He made these remarks in the context of criticism against Israel's settlement policy. The United Kingdom had recently announced a trade ban on illegal West Bank settlements, a move that sparked a diplomatic dispute with Israel. During his speech, dozens of delegates walked out of the assembly hall in protest. Netanyahu is currently engaged in a re-election campaign and is reportedly trailing in opinion polls.

## Disagreement on Netanyahu's remarks about colonialism

The Independent reported that Netanyahu stated Britain had 'invented the term' colonialism, adding that its empire 'once spanned the globe'. Le Monde and Franceinfo.fr reported Netanyahu asking, 'What colonialism?' and stating that 'they invented the term'. EADaily reported that Netanyahu 'gave out his version of Nikita Khrushchev from the UN rostrum'. News-pravda.com reported Netanyahu saying, 'For God's sakes, they invented the term, their colonies braced the entire globe. Colonialism? Give us a...'

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated digests mention the specific number of delegates who walked out of the UN General Assembly during Benjamin Netanyahu's speech. The centre-rated digests do not mention Netanyahu's statement that he is facing a re-election battle and is trailing in the polls. None of the right-rated digests mention that Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a re-election battle and is trailing in the polls.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 19 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 26% (5)
- Centre: 37% (7)
- Right: 37% (7)

16 of 35 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-25T06:30:26.577832+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-25T07:15:23.100Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports focused on Benjamin Netanyahu's accusation that Britain and France invented the term 'colonialism'. The Independent, which provided a full report, also highlighted Netanyahu's comments on the UK's trade ban on West Bank settlements and his description of delegates who walked out as 'moral cowards'. Perspectivemedia.com and The Independent also mentioned the UK's trade ban on illegal West Bank settlements. Le Monde and Franceinfo.fr quoted Netanyahu's questioning of 'What colonialism?' and his assertion that Britain and France invented the term.

### Centre

- The centre-rated reports highlighted Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks about colonialism and the walkout by delegates. Le Devoir and Sud Ouest quoted Netanyahu asking, 'What colonialism?' and stating that France and Britain invented the term. Evening Standard, Le Devoir, and leprogres.fr mentioned the UK's trade ban on illegal West Bank settlements. France24 and La Libre reported that Netanyahu attacked Israel's detractors and referenced former colonising countries. Several centre-rated reports, including ledauphine.com, leprogres.fr, bienpublic.com, estrepublicain.fr, lalsace.fr, lejsl.com, and republicain-lorrain.fr, noted that many delegates left the room when Netanyahu spoke.

### Right

- Right-rated reports focused on Benjamin Netanyahu's criticism of Britain and France regarding colonialism. The Telegraph stated that Netanyahu attacked Britain for its colonial history. GB News reported that Netanyahu 'rages at 'colonial' Britain amid Israel's Falkland Islands threats'. News-pravda.com quoted Netanyahu saying, 'They accuse Israel, tiny Israel, of colonialism. And who's accusing us? Among them, people in Britain and in France. For God's sakes, they invented the term'. EADaily reported that Netanyahu 'gave out his version of Nikita Khrushchev from the UN rostrum'.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- low: 1
- mixed: 4
- high: 7
- unknown: 16
- veryHigh: 6

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [The Namibian](https://namibian.com.na/netanyahu-defends-israeli-military-action-as-delegates-walk-out-before-un-speech) — Netanyahu defends Israeli military action as delegates walk out before UN speech
- [The Telegraph](https://telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/24/un-general-assembly-netanyahu-trump-live) — UN general assembly: Netanyahu attacks Britain over colonial history
- [flight.com.gr](https://flight.com.gr/%CE%BD%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%B9%CE%AC%CF%87%CE%BF%CF%85-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BD-%CE%BF%CE%B7%CE%B5-%CE%B5%CF%80%CE%AF%CE%B8%CE%B5%CF%83%CE%B7-%CE%B5%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%AF%CE%BF%CE%BD) — Netanyahu at the UN: Attack on Countries that Criticize Israel's Settlement Policy - Erdogan a "Tyrant"
- [RTL Info](https://rtl.be/actu/monde/international/chahute-lonu-netanyahu-se-defend-comme-il-le-peut-ils-accusent-le-minuscule/2026-09-25/article/801324) — Chahute at the UN, Netanyahu Defends Himself as He Can: "They Accuse the Tiny Israel of Colonialism?"
- [KahawaTungu](https://kahawatungu.com/netanyahu-defends-israeli-military-action-as-delegates-walk-out-before-un-speech) — Netanyahu defends Israeli military action as delegates walk out before UN speech
- [www.economica.net](https://economica.net/netanyahu-ataca-franta-si-regatul-unit-adunarea-generala-a-onu_979711.html) — Netanyahu Attacks France and the United Kingdom - UN General Assembly
- [MSNBCTV NEWS](https://msnbctv.news/netanyahu-defends-israeli-military-action-as-delegates-walk-out-before-un-speech) — Netanyahu defends Israeli military action as delegates walk out before UN speech
- [GB News](https://gbnews.com/news/world/benjamin-netanyahu-un-speech-colonial-britain-falkland-islands) — Benjamin Netanyahu rages at 'colonial' Britain amid Israel's Falkland Islands threats
- [EADaily](https://eadaily.com/en/news/2026/09/24/kuzkins-mother-in-israeli-netanyahu-gave-khrushchev-from-the-un-rostrum) — Kuzkin's Moth in Israel: Netanyahu Gave Khrushchev From the UN Rostrum
- [perspectivemedia.com](https://perspectivemedia.com/netanyahu-tells-colonialism-accusers-in-uk-that-britain-invented-the-term) — Netanyahu tells colonialism accusers in UK that Britain ‘invented the term’
- [Evening Standard](https://standard.co.uk/news/politics/benjamin-netanyahu-west-bank-united-nations-general-assembly-israel-jerusalem-b1298318.html) — Netanyahu tells colonialism accusers in UK that Britain ‘invented the term’
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/benjamin-netanyahu-west-bank-jews-united-nations-general-assembly-israel-b3056060.html) — Netanyahu tells colonialism accusers in UK that Britain ‘invented the term’
- [Le Monde](https://lemonde.fr/international/video/2026/09/24/quel-colonialisme-plusieurs-delegations-ont-quitte-l-assemblee-generale-de-l-onu-au-moment-du-discours-de-benyamin-netanyahou_6781583_3210.html) — "What Colonialism?": Several Delegations Left the UN General Assembly at the Time of Benyamin Netanyahu's Speech.
- [Le Devoir](https://ledevoir.com/monde/1011776/netanyahou-montre-combatif-tribune-onu-attaque-detracteurs) — Netanyahu Is Fighting in the UN Rostrum and Attacking his...
- [France24](https://france24.com/fr/vid%C3%A9o/20260924-devant-l-assembl%C3%A9e-g%C3%A9n%C3%A9rale-de-l-onu-netanyahu-s-en-prend-%C3%A0-paris-et-londres) — In Front of the UN General Assembly, Netanyahu Attacks Paris and London
- [ΑΘΗΝΑ 9,84](https://athina984.gr/2026/09/24/deltio-eidiseon-stis-23-00-2026) — News Bulletin at 23:00
- [bienpublic.com](https://bienpublic.com/defense-guerre-conflit/2026/09/24/quel-colonialisme-netanyahou-defend-sa-politique-face-a-une-assemblee-de-l-onu-clairesemee) — United States. "What Colonialism?": Netanyahu Defends His Policy in the Face of a Sparse UN Assembly
- [estrepublicain.fr](https://estrepublicain.fr/defense-guerre-conflit/2026/09/24/quel-colonialisme-netanyahou-defend-sa-politique-face-a-une-assemblee-de-l-onu-clairesemee) — United States. "What Colonialism?" Netanyahu Defends His Policy in the Face of a Sparse UN Assembly
- [lalsace.fr](https://lalsace.fr/defense-guerre-conflit/2026/09/24/quel-colonialisme-netanyahou-defend-sa-politique-face-a-une-assemblee-de-l-onu-clairesemee) — United States. "What Colonialism?": Netanyahu Defends His Policy in the Face of a Sparse UN Assembly
- [ledauphine.com](https://ledauphine.com/defense-guerre-conflit/2026/09/24/quel-colonialisme-netanyahou-defend-sa-politique-face-a-une-assemblee-de-l-onu-clairesemee) — United States. "What Colonialism?" Netanyahu Defends His Policy in the Face of a Sparse UN Assembly
- [lejsl.com](https://lejsl.com/defense-guerre-conflit/2026/09/24/quel-colonialisme-netanyahou-defend-sa-politique-face-a-une-assemblee-de-l-onu-clairesemee) — United States. "What Colonialism?" Netanyahu Defends His Policy in the Face of a Sparse UN Assembly
- [leprogres.fr](https://leprogres.fr/defense-guerre-conflit/2026/09/24/quel-colonialisme-netanyahou-defend-sa-politique-face-a-une-assemblee-de-l-onu-clairesemee) — United States. "What Colonialism?": Netanyahu Defends His Policy in the Face of a Sparse UN Assembly
- [republicain-lorrain.fr](https://republicain-lorrain.fr/defense-guerre-conflit/2026/09/24/quel-colonialisme-netanyahou-defend-sa-politique-face-a-une-assemblee-de-l-onu-clairesemee) — United States. "What Colonialism?" Netanyahu Defends His Policy in the Face of a Sparse UN Assembly
- [vosgesmatin.fr](https://vosgesmatin.fr/defense-guerre-conflit/2026/09/24/quel-colonialisme-netanyahou-defend-sa-politique-face-a-une-assemblee-de-l-onu-clairesemee) — United States. "What Colonialism?" Netanyahu Defends His Policy in the Face of a Sparse UN Assembly
- [Sud Ouest](https://sudouest.fr/international/colonialisme-c-est-la-france-et-la-grande-bretagne-qui-ont-invente-le-terme-a-l-onu-benjamin-netanyahou-pourfend-ses-detracteurs-30773133.php) — "Colonialism? France and Britain Invented the term!"... At the UN, Benjamin Netanyahu Defends His Critics
- [REALITATEA.NET](https://realitatea.net/stiri/extern/netanyahu-critica-franta-si-regatul-unit-la-adunarea-generala-a-onu-coloniile-lor-acopera-intreaga-planeta-hewtec) — Netanyahu Criticises France and the United Kingdom at the UN General Assembly.
- [sigmalive.com](https://sigmalive.com/news/international/1330790/netaniakhoy-tyrannos-o-erntoghan-katekhei-paranoma-to-voreio-tmima-tis-kyproy) — Netanyahu: Erdogan Is a Tyrant, Illegally Occupying the Northern Part of Cyprus
- [Domani](https://editorialedomani.it/politica/mondo/netanyahu-fischiato-isolato-onu-codardi-londra-parigi-colonialisti-assemblea-generale-dbed7tw0) — Netanyahu Whistled (and Isolated) to the U.N.: "Codardi. London and Paris Colonialists"
- [Unknown](https://eleftherostypos.gr/diethni/netaniachou-ston-oie-h-tourkia-apeilei-tin-ellada-katechei-paranoma-to-voreio-tmima-tis-kyprou) — Netanyahu to the UN: Turkey Threatens Greece - Illegally Occupies the Northern Part of Cyprus
- [Ynet News](https://ynetnews.com/article/z6duhsax8) — Netanyahu: 'Britain and France Accuse Israel of Colonialism? They Invented It'
- [La Libre](https://lalibre.be/international/moyen-orient/2026/09/24/netanyahu-sen-prend-aux-detracteurs-disrael-a-la-tribune-de-lonu-quel-colonialisme-FKDH2XTYJFHMZPBCYNOAYJWFJE) — Netanyahu Attacks Israel's Detractors on the UN Rostrum: "What Colonialism?"
- [La Nación, Grupo Nación](https://nacion.com/el-mundo/en-la-onu-netanyahu-arremete-contra-reino-unido-y/QBFERZ444ZHJBJ5LQBL5TKDABA/story) — At the UN, Netanyahu Lashes Out at the UK and France for His Colonialist Past
- [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/leurs-colonies-couvraient-la-planete-entiere-benyamin-netanyahou-s-en-prend-a-la-france-et-au-royaume-uni-a-l-onu-20260924) — "Their Colonies Were Covering the Entire Planet": Benyamin Netanyahou Was Targeting France and the United Kingdom at the UN
- [franceinfo.fr](https://franceinfo.fr/monde/israel/a-l-onu-benyamin-netanyahou-s-en-est-pris-a-la-france-et-au-royaume-uni-anciens-pays-colonisateurs_8208560.html) — At the UN, Benyamin Netanyahu Attacked France and the United Kingdom: "Their Colonies Covered the Entire Planet"
- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/eu/2026/09/24/2618101.html) — Netanyahu addresses Britain and France:

## Questions

**What did Benjamin Netanyahu say about colonialism?**

Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly that Britain and France invented the term 'colonialism'. He stated that their colonies 'embraced the entire globe' and suggested that these countries should not be accusing Israel of colonialism.

**What action did the UK take regarding West Bank settlements?**

The United Kingdom announced a trade ban on illegal West Bank settlements. This action sparked a diplomatic dispute with Israel, which Benjamin Netanyahu referenced during his speech at the UN General Assembly.

**How did delegates react to Netanyahu's speech?**

Dozens of delegates walked out of the UN General Assembly hall during Benjamin Netanyahu's speech. Netanyahu responded by calling those who left 'moral cowards'.

**What is Netanyahu's current political situation?**

Benjamin Netanyahu is currently engaged in a re-election battle in Israel. Reports indicate that he is trailing in opinion polls, which may influence his public statements and diplomatic stances.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/netanyahu-accuses-uk-and-france-of-inventing-colonialism-term. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Netanyahu accuses UK and France of inventing colonialism term", https://mediabias.news/politics/netanyahu-accuses-uk-and-france-of-inventing-colonialism-term