Netanyahu UN Speech Defends Israel’s Military Campaigns
The Netanyahu UN speech saw Israel’s prime minister strongly defend his country’s military campaigns in Iran, Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East as dozens of delegates walked out in protest.
Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue fighting, telling the United Nations General Assembly: “We’re going to win. We have no other choice.” After the walkout, he challenged those who remained in the chamber, saying: “If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left the hall, please do so now.”
The Israeli prime minister also rejected accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. His address came as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas separately accused Israel of policies that he said threatened the future of the Palestinian people and the possibility of a two-state solution.
Abbas addressed the UN through a recorded video message after being denied a US entry visa. He accused Israel of subjecting Palestinians in Gaza to “killing, destruction, starvation and attempts at displacement, as well as a genocidal war” and highlighted the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Netanyahu UN Speech Targets Israel’s Critics
Much of the Netanyahu UN speech focused on criticism of countries and political leaders who have challenged Israel’s military actions. Netanyahu rejected accusations of colonialism and questioned why Britain and France were among those making such claims.
He also attacked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him a “tyrant” and accusing him of supporting Hamas. Erdogan had told the UN earlier that the situation faced by people in Gaza and the West Bank “deeply offends the conscience of humanity.”
Turkey’s presidency communications director Burhanettin Duran responded by accusing Netanyahu of using the UN podium to make “baseless accusations” against Turkey and Erdogan. Duran said the remarks were incompatible with the UN’s principles of peace, law and dialogue, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.
Netanyahu also criticised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, saying many Jewish people no longer felt safe in the city since Mamdani’s election. Mamdani’s office responded by accusing Netanyahu of repeating what it called baseless claims intended to sanitise his treatment of Palestinians.
Iran War and Donald Trump Praise
The Netanyahu UN speech also included praise for US President Donald Trump and the cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem. Netanyahu thanked Trump for what he described as “bold leadership” and referred to the joint US-Israeli air strikes against Tehran in February.
He argued that Israel and the United States had acted together not only for their own protection but also to “save civilisation”. Iran has denied the accusation that it was secretly building a nuclear weapon.
The conflict involving Iran led to retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran against Israel and neighbouring Gulf Arab states that host US military bases. Netanyahu used his address to defend the Israeli military campaign as part of the country’s wider security effort.
Netanyahu Faces Election Pressure in Israel
The Netanyahu UN speech also came at a politically important moment for the Israeli prime minister, with an election approaching at home. His appearance was therefore directed at both Israeli voters and American audiences as Israel faces growing international criticism.
Netanyahu’s long-standing reputation as a security-focused leader has faced greater scrutiny since the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023. Political opponents have questioned his leadership following Israeli media reports that he failed to heed warnings about a possible Hamas attack, allegations Netanyahu has firmly denied.
His comments at the UN are expected to feature prominently in the domestic political debate as his religious-right coalition trails in polls cited in the source report. His confrontational response to the walkout also reinforced his effort to portray himself as a leader willing to confront Israel’s international critics.
At the same time, Netanyahu highlighted his links to the United States, where he was born and spent his formative years in Pennsylvania. The source report said support for Israel among Democrats has fallen, while divisions have also emerged among Republicans, including parts of Trump’s Maga base.
Protesters Detained Near United Nations
The Netanyahu UN speech was accompanied by demonstrations outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. Several protesters were detained after police responded to what an NYPD spokesperson described as an “unscheduled demonstration” involving people blocking a junction.
Those detained included Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon and Emmy-winning actress Hannah Einbinder. Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and New York City council member Chi Osse were also among those detained.
The wider dispute over Israel’s military campaign remains centred on the consequences of the Gaza war. Israel launched its ground offensive after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage, according to the source report.
More than 73,920 people have since been killed in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. Israel rejects accusations that its actions amount to genocide and says its military campaign is justified as self-defence.
The Netanyahu UN speech therefore highlighted the deep divisions surrounding Israel’s wars, Gaza and the wider conflict involving Iran. While Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions and vowed to continue fighting, Abbas presented a sharply opposing account of the situation facing Palestinians, while protests outside the UN demonstrated the intensity of the international debate.
