Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant address to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday morning, defending his country’s military operations and vowing to “finish the job” against Hamas in Gaza. His speech was immediately preceded by a walkout from representatives of dozens of countries, signaling widespread international disapproval of Israel’s actions and its rejection of a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu’s Core Message: Defiance and Demands
During his contentious speech, Netanyahu accused world leaders of buckling and caving when Israel faced difficult times, asserting that his nation is fighting a seven-front war with little support. He rebuked accusations of war crimes and genocide as “antisemitic lies,” pointing to Israel’s evacuation orders for civilians in Gaza as proof of its efforts to avoid harm, a comparison he controversially linked to the Holocaust by asking, “Did the Nazis ask the Jews to kindly leave, go out?”
He explicitly rejected the idea of a Palestinian state, declaring, “A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River,” and stating that he would “not allow you to shove a terror state down our throats.” He claimed that world leaders who recognized Palestinian statehood this week—including traditional allies like Britain, France, and Canada—were sending an “antisemitic message: ‘Murdering Jews pays off.'”
Netanyahu made an impassioned plea for the release of approximately 20 hostages still held in Gaza, reading their names aloud. He claimed to have surrounded Gaza with loudspeakers broadcasting messages directly to the hostages, assuring them in Hebrew, “We have not forgotten you, not even for a second.” He also addressed Hamas fighters directly, issuing a stark warning: “Free the hostages now. If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.” He linked the end of the war to Hamas agreeing to Israel’s demands, including the demilitarization of Gaza, a condition Hamas has publicly rejected, instead offering to release hostages in exchange for an end to the war, Israeli troop withdrawal, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Regional Assertions and Geopolitical Maneuvering
The Prime Minister began his address by focusing on the perceived threat from Iran and its nuclear weapons program, stating it threatened not only Israel but the world. He displayed a prop map, similar to one used last year, depicting “Iran’s terror axis” (Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen’s Houthi militia), confidently declaring that this coalition of forces had been defeated this year. He also praised the Lebanese government’s stated aim to disarm Hezbollah, emphasizing, “we need more than words.” Netanyahu further suggested that Israel’s successes against Iran and its proxies had created “new possibilities for regional peace,” citing a security agreement reportedly underway with Syria’s new government as evidence.
Regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Netanyahu reiterated his claim that any hunger in the enclave was due to Hamas stealing aid, an assertion that some Israeli military officials have reportedly denied regarding systematic looting, while food security experts have indicated widespread extreme hunger and famine in parts of Gaza.
Deepening Isolation and International Pressure
Netanyahu’s address comes amidst increasing international isolation for Israel. In the days leading up to the General Assembly, several close Western allies, including Britain, Canada, France, Australia, and Portugal, formally recognized Palestinian statehood. This wave of recognition highlights a growing global demand for a two-state solution and an end to the war in Gaza, which has resulted in over 65,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Palestinian health officials.
Further exacerbating Israel’s diplomatic challenges, Netanyahu is currently subject to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges related to the Israeli offensive in Gaza. A separate case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, brought by South Africa, is also ongoing at the International Court of Justice, the U.N.’s highest judicial body. Israel vehemently rejects all these accusations.
In a related development, Prime Minister Netanyahu took an unusually circuitous route to New York, avoiding the airspace of France and Spain. Both countries are signatories to the Rome Statute, which established the I.C.C., raising speculation that Netanyahu sought to evade any potential legal challenges or arrest warrants.
Trump’s Intervention and West Bank Annexation
Adding another layer of complexity, President Trump, Israel’s strongest ally, assured Arab and Muslim-majority leaders that he would “not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.” This statement directly contradicts calls from some within Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition for annexation in retaliation for the recognition of Palestinian statehood by other nations. Trump’s intervention sets the stage for a critical meeting with Netanyahu in Washington, their fourth since the President began his second term, where these contentious issues are expected to be central to their discussions.
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority president, addressed the U.N. by video after being denied a U.S. visa. He expressed the Authority’s willingness to take responsibility for Gaza, excluding Hamas, a proposal Netanyahu opposes.