NEW YORK – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a strong and controversial speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday. He criticized international leaders for rewarding terrorism and called for Israel’s “national suicide” by pressing for a Palestinian state.
Many delegates had left the hall in protest when Netanyahu spoke. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes. He told the military to broadcast parts of his address to Gaza, which was a clear message to both Hamas commanders and the hostages who were still alive.
Netanyahu’s Defiant Stance: No to a Palestinian State Netanyahu made it clear in his statement that Israel will not recognize a Palestinian state. He has held this view for decades. He said to leaders of the world, “We will not let you force a terrorist state on us.” “We will not commit national suicide because you don’t have the guts to face down the hostile media and antisemitic mobs demanding Israel’s blood,” he said next.
Criticism of Western Powers: Days after Britain, France, and Canada recognized a state of Palestine, Netanyahu blasted their decision, saying it conveyed “a very clear message that murdering Jews pays off.”
“Finish the Job”: The Prime Minister stuck to his promise to keep fighting Hamas, saying he would “finish the job.” This was despite the fact that his close friend, U.S. President Donald Trump, said a ceasefire arrangement had been achieved.
Netanyahu also made fun of the Palestinian Authority and its president, Mahmud Abbas, calling him “corrupt to the core.” Abbas had given his own speech a day before through a virtual link because the US wouldn’t give him a visa.
The Bigger Picture of War and Peace
Netanyahu’s address came at a time when more and more countries are putting pressure on Israel because of its military action in Gaza, which started when Hamas attacked on October 7, 2023. The attack killed 1,219 individuals, most of them were civilians. The health ministry in the Hamas-run region says that since then, Israel’s offensive has killed more than 65,549 Palestinians, majority of whom were civilians.
Trump’s Peace Efforts: The speech brought attention to the complicated situation in the area, especially given Trump’s engagement. Netanyahu complimented the outgoing president, but Trump’s recent comments and peace plan suggestions, which purportedly call for Hamas to give up its weapons and caution against annexing the West Bank, suggest that U.S. policy may be changing.
International Isolation: The Israeli prime minister’s trip to the UN showed how isolated he is becoming. He took a roundabout way to New York to avoid countries that might implement the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant. While he was speaking, there were other rallies in Times Square nearby calling for his arrest.
Even though there was a lot of anger around the world, Netanyahu strongly denied claims that Israel was committing genocide, pointing out that people in Gaza had been told to leave several times. Critics, on the other hand, say that forced displacement constitutes a war crime and that almost all of the people in the Gaza Strip have been forced to leave their homes throughout the fighting.
Netanyahu spoke in Hebrew to the prisoners being held by Hamas during a moving part of his speech. He told them, “We have not forgotten you, not even for a second.”