In a highly anticipated and defiantly delivered speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly rejected the concept of a Palestinian state, vowing to persist in his country’s military campaign to ‘finish the job’ against Hamas. His address sparked immediate international outcry, as representatives from dozens of nations staged a walkout just as he began to speak, signaling a growing global protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Netanyahu did not shy away from confronting his critics, stating that Israelis would ‘not commit national suicide’ by permitting a Palestinian state. He sharply condemned countries that have recently recognized such a prospect, labeling their actions a ‘mark of shame.’ Speaking to a largely empty hall, he opened his speech by recounting Israel’s successful operations against various adversaries and neighboring countries in the Middle East, which he claimed had neutralized threats to Israel. He also read aloud the names of hostages still held in Gaza, directly addressing them and Hamas fighters through loudspeakers reportedly placed around Gaza and streamed to cellphones, assuring the hostages, ‘We have not forgotten you, not even for a second.’ He sternly warned Hamas members: ‘Free the hostages now. If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.’
During his address, Netanyahu utilized several visual aids, including a map highlighting Iranian allies in the region, a ‘pop quiz’ card designed to label Hamas as a terrorist organization, and a lapel pin with a QR code that linked to a video containing graphic content related to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. He also listed regional leaders hostile to Israel who had been killed, such as Yahya Sinwar in Gaza and Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, alongside Iranian military commanders and atomic scientists, warning that any Iraqi Iranian-allied militia leaders attacking Israel would ‘also be gone.’ Referencing a past event, he provocatively stated, ‘Remember those pagers? We paged Hezbollah. They got the message.’
He further accused world leaders of ‘buckling and caving’ when faced with difficulties for Israel, asserting that his nation was fighting a ‘seven-front war with little support.’ He claimed, ‘You condemn us, you embargo us and you wage political and legal warfare — it’s called lawfare — against us.’ Netanyahu vehemently denied accusations of genocide in Gaza, citing Israel’s evacuation orders for civilians as proof of its efforts to protect lives. He drew a controversial comparison, asking, ‘Did the Nazis ask the Jews to kindly leave, go out?’ However, this defense stands in stark contrast to reports from human rights organizations, including leading Israeli groups like B’Tselem. These groups argue that Israel’s extensive displacement of people, razing of cities, widespread killings, and severe restrictions on food and aid collectively constitute ‘coordinated action to intentionally destroy Palestinian society’ in Gaza, amounting to genocide. It has also been reported that following October 7, 2023, the Israeli military altered its rules of engagement, permitting mid-ranking officers to target a broader range of objectives and risk a higher number of civilian casualties, leading to over 65,000 deaths in Gaza as the conflict approaches its second anniversary.
Netanyahu’s speech unfolded against a backdrop of increasing international isolation for Israel. This week alone, about ten countries, including long-standing allies such as France, Britain, and Canada, formally recognized Palestinian statehood in an effort to advance a two-state solution. In response, some right-wing members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition have called for the annexation of all or parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This move, however, has been publicly opposed by former President Donald Trump, Israel’s strong ally, who assured world leaders he would not allow it.
Adding to the tensions, Netanyahu’s journey to New York for the UN General Assembly involved an unusual and extended flight route, avoiding the airspace of France and Spain. Both countries are signatories to the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court, and have been vocal critics of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, raising questions about potential legal vulnerabilities for the Prime Minister, who is subject to an ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes. On the streets of New York City, thousands gathered in Times Square to protest Netanyahu’s presence and Israel’s actions, holding signs demanding ‘End All U.S. Aid to Israel,’ ‘Arrest Netanyahu,’ and ‘Stop Starving Gaza Now!’ The crowd erupted in cheers upon hearing news of the UN walkouts, chanting, ‘Netanyahu you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide!’ A recent poll conducted by a major news organization revealed that a significant portion of New York City voters sympathized more with Palestinians than with Israel, reflecting deepening divisions.
Further regional anxieties were stoked by an Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas members in Qatar earlier this month, leading to fears among Arab nations like Jordan and Egypt about their own security. Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, denied a visa to the United States, addressed the UN via video, offering for the Authority to take responsibility for Gaza post-conflict, explicitly excluding Hamas. Netanyahu, however, publicly opposes any role for the Palestinian Authority in governing Gaza. Netanyahu is also scheduled to meet with former President Trump in Washington, marking their fourth encounter since Trump began his second term in January.