Tensions ran high during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, as dozens of delegates walked out in protest the moment he began speaking. The walkout, a powerful and silent act of defiance, symbolized the growing international condemnation of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Simultaneously, cheers and applause echoed through the hall, though it remained unclear whether they were directed at Netanyahu or in support of the protesters. UN President Philémon Yang struggled to maintain order, repeatedly calling for "order, order, please".
This year's UN General Assembly, the first since the Gaza conflict erupted on October 7, has become a pivotal platform for world leaders to plead for peace. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other global leaders used their speeches to urge restraint and call for an end to the escalating violence between Israel and militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
Despite the walkouts, Netanyahu stood firm. He opened his speech with a defiant tone, stating, "I didn’t intend to come here this year. My country is at war, fighting for its life. But after hearing the lies and slander against Israel, I felt compelled to set the record straight." His words were met with scattered applause from the remaining delegates in the chamber.
Netanyahu’s speech came at a time when Israel is engaged in intense conflict with Hamas, a militant group backed by Iran. The Israeli leader detailed Israel's ongoing efforts to combat Palestinian militants, recounting how Hamas had launched a brutal attack on Israeli soil, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel's military retaliation, which has seen Gaza heavily bombarded, has led to the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians, according to local authorities. Netanyahu painted Israel’s actions as a fight for survival, insisting, "Israel seeks peace. Israel yearns for peace. Israel has made peace before and will make peace again."
Escalation Across Six Fronts
In his address, Netanyahu revealed that Israel is now engaged in fighting across six fronts, including attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and Iran-backed militias in Syria and Iraq. He warned Iran directly, saying, "If you strike us, we will strike you. There is no place in Iran that Israel’s long arm cannot reach." These remarks underscored the deepening hostilities between Israel and Iranian-backed factions, raising concerns about the potential for a broader regional war.
The Israeli Prime Minister also presented maps of the Middle East, showing Gaza and the West Bank as part of Israel, and claimed that Israel had normalized relations with several Arab nations, including Egypt, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia. He contrasted these "blessings" with the "curse" he attributed to Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
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International Criticism & Netanyahu's Rebuttal
The UN has long been a critical forum for Israel, with more resolutions passed against it than any other nation in the past decade. Netanyahu wasted no time in condemning the UN, labeling it a "house of darkness" and accusing it of harboring "antisemitic bile." He reserved particular scorn for the International Criminal Court, which is attempting to issue an arrest warrant against him, dismissing the efforts as "pure antisemitism."
Netanyahu's speech also targeted critics of his government’s war strategy. He made it clear that Israel would not allow Hamas to regain control of Gaza once the war ends, declaring that his country had already "killed or captured more than half" of Hamas members.
Calls for Ceasefire & Rising Hostility
The walkouts and protests surrounding Netanyahu’s appearance highlight the increasing international pressure on Israel to halt its military operations. The United States, France, and other nations have pushed for a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Hezbollah's attacks on Israel have resulted in over 700 deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands. Israel’s ongoing airstrikes in both Gaza and Lebanon have further strained relations with the international community.
Netanyahu, however, remained defiant. He rejected any possibility of a ceasefire with Hezbollah, stating that Israel would continue its military campaign until all its objectives were met. "We will fight until we achieve total victory. There is no substitute for it," he said.
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The Israeli Prime Minister’s speech has drawn mixed reactions worldwide. While his tough stance on Iran and Hezbollah has resonated with some, the walkouts and protests at the UN serve as a stark reminder of the deep divisions surrounding Israel’s actions in the Middle East. As the conflict rages on, world leaders continue to call for restraint, but with Netanyahu firmly committed to his military strategy, the prospect of an immediate resolution remains uncertain.
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