Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clashed with world opinion at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, branding international recognition of a Palestinian state as “sheer madness” and a threat to Israel’s survival. His address was marked by walkouts, applause, and pointed attacks on critics of Israel’s Gaza campaign.
In an address delivered to a half-empty hall, after dozens of delegates walked out in protest, Netanyahu declared, “Recognition of a Palestinian state is sheer madness, it’s insane and we won’t do it. Recognition by several countries is disgraceful.” He added that such recognition amounted to “national suicide” for Israel.
While many official delegates left, observers in the balcony gave Netanyahu a standing ovation, some pumping their fists in support. The Israeli delegation also rose to applaud as he closed his remarks.
Directly addressing hostages held by Hamas, Netanyahu said, “We have not forgotten you not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you. We will not rest until we bring all of you home.” He read out the names of 20 hostages believed to still be alive in Gaza and said loudspeakers in Israel were broadcasting his words across the border.
The Israeli leader dismissed accusations that his military is deliberately targeting civilians or starving the population in Gaza, calling such claims “false and distorted.” He insisted, “The opposite is true. Israel has dropped millions of leaflets and sent millions of texts to get civilians to evacuate Gaza City. Hamas implants itself in mosques, schools, hospitals, apartment buildings often threatening civilians at gunpoint to stay in harm’s way.”
On genocide allegations, Netanyahu invoked a Holocaust comparison, “Did the Nazis ask the Jews to leave? If we were committing genocide, we would not plead with civilians to move out of danger.” He further argued that if Gazans lack food, it is because Hamas “steals it, hoards it, and sells it.”
Netanyahu also praised Donald Trump, saying the former US president “understands better than any other leader that Israel and America face a common threat.” His remarks drew applause from the US delegation seated below the press booths. Trump, who has vowed not to allow Israel to annex the West Bank, is due to meet Netanyahu on Monday.
Waving placards during his speech, Netanyahu conducted what he called a “pop quiz,” asking who shouts “Death to America?” before ticking the answer “e) all of the above” Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. He accused Iran of spearheading a “terror axis” threatening Israel and the world, while claiming Israel has “devastated Iran’s atomic weapons and ballistic missile programme.”
Netanyahu invoked the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack repeatedly, saying, “But we remember. This is why we fight, and why we must win.” He displayed a QR code on his jacket badge that he said contained the reason behind Israel’s fight.
The speech underscored Israel’s deepening diplomatic isolation. Dozens of UN members now recognise a Palestinian state, while a UN inquiry has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, a charge Israel has dismissed as “distorted and false.”
