Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative address at the UN General Assembly, denouncing recent international recognition of a Palestinian state. He called such recognition a “mark of shame”, claiming it signaled that “murdering Jews pays off.”
As Netanyahu took the podium, dozens of diplomats and officials staged a walkout, leaving large parts of the UN hall empty. Outside, protesters rallied in Times Square against Israel’s war in Gaza.
The backlash comes as countries including the UK, France, Canada, and Australia announced recognition of a Palestinian state this week, adding to international pressure on Israel over its military campaign in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s Message at the UN
In his opening remarks, Netanyahu displayed a map labeled “The Curse”, highlighting Iranian proxy groups across the Middle East. He praised Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Gaza, and Iran, and thanked former US President Donald Trump for American involvement in the June strike on Iran’s Fordo nuclear site.
He compared Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel to the 9/11 attacks in the US, stressing that both nations faced the same enemies.
Netanyahu reiterated his rejection of a Palestinian state, claiming the majority of Israelis supported his stance. He dismissed the UN commission of inquiry’s genocide allegations as “baseless” and denied accusations that Israel deliberately restricted humanitarian aid to Gaza, despite a UN-backed report confirming famine in Gaza City.
Broadcasting to Gaza
In an unusual move, Netanyahu’s office ordered loudspeakers placed near Gaza to broadcast his speech live. He also claimed Israeli intelligence had hacked Gaza residents’ smartphones to stream the address directly—though locals said their devices were unaffected.
Speaking directly to hostages still held in Gaza, Netanyahu declared:
“We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you. We will not falter, and we will not rest until we bring all of you home.”
There are 48 hostages remaining in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive.
Domestic and International Reactions
Inside Israel, Netanyahu’s speech sparked criticism. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called it “a weary and whining address full of gimmicks,” while Yair Golan of Israel’s Democrats party described it as “childish propaganda” that ignored both the suffering of hostages and the sacrifices of soldiers.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas said a day earlier he was ready to work with world leaders on implementing a peace plan. Shortly after Netanyahu’s speech, Donald Trump told journalists: “I think we have a deal on Gaza,” fueling speculation of a potential ceasefire.
Context of the Gaza War
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza after the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 65,549 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since then.
Access to independent reporting remains restricted, as Israel has barred international journalists from freely entering Gaza since the start of the war, limiting verification of claims by both sides.
