Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel delivered a defiant address to the United Nations General Assembly, defending his country’s actions against its adversaries and vowing to complete its campaign in Gaza against Hamas. The speech was met with a significant walkout by representatives from dozens of nations, a public display of protest against Israel amidst ongoing demands for an end to the Gaza conflict and recognition of a Palestinian state. Israel’s U.N. ambassador dismissed these actions as a “staged performance.”
Amidst repeated heckling from the audience, Mr. Netanyahu utilized a prop map to illustrate Israel’s operations against its opponents across the Middle East. He also read a list of names of hostages held in Gaza, and Israeli intelligence reportedly broadcast his speech live to cellphones within Gaza, in addition to using loudspeakers along the border, allowing him to deliver messages directly in both English and Hebrew. To the Hamas fighters, he declared, “Free the hostages now. If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.” He also addressed the hostages, asserting in Hebrew, “We have not forgotten you, not even for a second.”
Netanyahu accused world leaders of faltering in their support for Israel, stating, “You condemn us, you embargo us and you wage political and legal warfare — it’s called lawfare — against us.” He claimed Israel is battling a seven-front war with minimal external assistance, and highlighted Israel’s successes in eliminating regional leaders hostile to the nation, including figures in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran’s military command. He warned that leaders of Iranian-allied militias in Iraq would also be targeted if they attacked Israel, famously adding, “Remember those pagers? We paged Hezbollah. They got the message.”
The Prime Minister, who faces accusations of war crimes by the International Criminal Court, stated that the war in Gaza could conclude if Hamas acceded to Israel’s demands, which include the demilitarization of the territory. Hamas, however, has publicly rejected this condition, instead proposing a release of all remaining hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. Israeli authorities believe approximately 20 hostages remain alive in Gaza. Relatives of some hostages have also voiced strong objections to Israel’s ground offensive, citing concerns for their loved ones’ safety.
Internationally, Israel’s isolation appears to be deepening. In the days leading up to the U.N. General Assembly, about ten countries, including long-standing allies like France, Britain, and Canada, formally recognized Palestinian statehood. This move is part of broader efforts to advance a two-state solution. Netanyahu, who has long opposed Palestinian statehood, pledged to condemn these recognitions, arguing that such recognition validates the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel. In response, some within his right-wing coalition have called for the annexation of parts or all of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
However, President Trump, a strong ally of Israel, has publicly stated his opposition to such annexation. He assured Arab and Muslim-majority leaders that he would not permit Israel to annex the West Bank, emphasizing that “There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.” His comments were made on the eve of Netanyahu’s U.N. speech. This stance aligns with the broader international community, which largely considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal and views annexation as a significant obstacle to a future Palestinian state. Many Palestinians argue that existing Israeli policies already constitute a de facto annexation.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 65,000 casualties reported by Palestinian health officials since the war began. Additionally, a case against Israel for genocide in Gaza is currently before the International Court of Justice. This has led to concerns among ordinary Israelis about harassment or arrest when traveling abroad.
The conflict has also heightened tensions across the Middle East. An Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas members in Qatar raised fears among Arab nations like Jordan and Egypt regarding their own security. Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, denied a U.S. visa, addressed the U.N. by video, expressing the Authority’s willingness to govern Gaza without Hamas, a role Netanyahu opposes.
Other key developments at the U.N. General Assembly include a scheduled address by China’s Premier Li Qiang, and an upcoming meeting between Netanyahu and Trump in Washington. Notably, Netanyahu’s flight to New York took an unusual, circuitous route, avoiding the airspace of France and Spain, both signatories to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, under whose warrant he is currently subject to arrest for war crimes in Gaza. While Israeli authorities were granted permission for French airspace, the longer route was taken without explanation, suggesting a cautious approach given the legal and political climate.
Separately, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that a film detailing atrocities from the Oct. 7, 2023, attack was shown at U.N. headquarters. The opposition leader in Israel, Yair Lapid, criticized Netanyahu’s decision to broadcast his speech into Gaza, likening it to “megalomaniacal madness” that could endanger soldiers. Outside the U.N. building, hundreds of demonstrators in Times Square protested Israel’s actions, holding signs demanding an end to U.S. aid and calling for a halt to the starvation in Gaza.