NEW YORK — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, vowing to persist in military campaigns across the Middle East despite a mass walkout of delegates and mounting international isolation.
As Netanyahu approached the podium, dozens of diplomats exited the hall in protest. Undeterred, the Israeli leader dismissed the departing officials as “moral cowards,” adding, “If there are any others who haven’t left, please do so now.” He remained steadfast in his objectives, declaring, “We’re going to win. We have no other choice.”
The speech comes at a volatile moment for the Israeli leader, who is currently the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant regarding alleged war crimes. Throughout his address, Netanyahu rejected accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza—a charge leveled by, among others, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
In a recorded message played earlier, Abbas—who was denied a US entry visa to attend in person—accused Israel of conducting a “genocidal war” defined by starvation, mass displacement, and the illegal expansion of settlements in the West Bank. He warned that these policies threaten the very existence of the Palestinian people and have rendered the internationally backed two-state solution nearly impossible.
Netanyahu used the global stage to launch scathing counter-attacks against his critics. He mocked European nations accusing Israel of colonialism, stating, “For God’s sake, they invented the term.” He also labeled Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a “tyrant” for his support of Hamas, a claim the Turkish government immediately denounced as “baseless” and incompatible with diplomatic dialogue.
Domestically, the address appeared designed to bolster Netanyahu’s image ahead of a critical election next month, where his right-wing coalition faces declining poll numbers. His narrative of being the only leader capable of confronting international “anti-Israel” sentiment serves as a pillar of his campaign, particularly as he battles accusations that he ignored warnings prior to the October 7, 2023, attacks.
The Prime Minister also looked toward an American audience, praising former President Donald Trump for his “bold leadership” and highlighting the February joint US-Israeli air strikes against Iran. “Israel and America acted together not only to protect ourselves, but to save civilization,” Netanyahu claimed.
Outside the UN, the intensity of the controversy spilled into the streets. New York police detained several high-profile protesters, including Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon, actress Hannah Einbinder, and local political figures, after demonstrators blocked traffic to protest the Prime Minister’s visit.
As the death toll in Gaza continues to climb past 73,000, according to local health officials, the divide between Israel and much of the international community continues to widen, leaving the future of the region’s security and any potential diplomatic resolution in deeper uncertainty.
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