Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, delivered a fiery address at the United Nations on Friday, vowing to block the creation of a Palestinian state and accusing European leaders of pushing Israel toward “national suicide” while rewarding Hamas.
Speaking as his remarks were partially broadcast on Israeli military loudspeakers in Gaza, Netanyahu promised to “finish the job” against Hamas, even as US President Donald Trump indicated he believed a ceasefire deal was close.
Days after Britain, France, and other Western nations formally recognized a Palestinian state, Netanyahu slammed their actions, declaring they had sent “a very clear message that murdering Jews pays off.”
“Israel will not allow you to shove a terrorist state down our throats,” he added. “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.”
The speech comes in the aftermath of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the deadliest in the country’s history, which triggered a relentless Israeli military response in Gaza.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, a political rival of Hamas, condemned the attack and antisemitism in his own virtual UN address Thursday, after the United States denied him a visa.
Netanyahu, who has opposed a Palestinian state for decades, mocked Western support for Abbas, labeling the Palestinian Authority “corrupt to the core.”
Palestinian foreign ministry official Adel Atieh dismissed Netanyahu’s remarks as “the speech of a defeated man.”
Notably, Netanyahu avoided discussing plans to annex the West Bank, a measure some of his cabinet members have proposed to block the establishment of a Palestinian state.
President Donald Trump, typically a strong supporter of Netanyahu, has warned against annexation as he advances a peace plan for Gaza that includes disarming Hamas. Netanyahu praised Trump during his address and is set to meet him in Washington on Monday. Following Netanyahu’s speech, Trump tweeted, “I think we have a deal.”
Media reports have floated former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a potential leader of a transitional authority in Gaza under US proposals.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose government supports Hamas, expressed support for any ceasefire in Gaza.
Netanyahu, facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over alleged war crimes, including using starvation as a weapon, took an unusual flight path over the Strait of Gibraltar to reach New York. Many delegations walked out as he approached the General Assembly podium, while protesters gathered in Times Square, calling for his arrest.
“War criminals don’t deserve any peace of mind. They don’t deserve any sleep,” said Andrea Mirez, a young protester who camped outside Netanyahu’s hotel overnight.
In his address, Netanyahu aggressively rejected claims that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, highlighting repeated warnings for Gazans to flee.
However, international humanitarian law also considers forced displacement a potential war crime, and nearly the entire population of Gaza has been displaced amid the ongoing conflict.
The October 7 attack by Hamas killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures tallied by AFP. Israel’s military response has claimed the lives of over 65,549 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Hamas-run health ministry figures that the UN considers credible. On the day of Netanyahu’s speech alone, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported 20 fatalities.
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders announced it had suspended operations in Gaza City due to the ongoing offensive.
Netanyahu said the partial broadcast of his speech aimed to reach both Hamas leaders and hostages still held since October 7.
“We have not forgotten you — not even for a second,” he stated in Hebrew.
Families of hostages have criticized Netanyahu’s renewed military campaign and urged a ceasefire to protect their loved ones.
The UN address came months after Netanyahu ordered a major bombing campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities.
During his speech, he displayed a Middle East map, using a pen to cross out adversaries Israel has eliminated. Iran boycotted the event.
