International Politics

NEW YORK - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attacked the recognition of a Palestinian state by multiple Western countries during a combative speech at the UN General Assembly.

Netanyahu labelled the recognition moves a ‘mark of shame’ that sent the message that “murdering Jews pays off”.

Dozens of officials and diplomats staged a walk-out as he took to the podium, leaving large parts of the conference hall empty. Outside, protesters against Israel’s war in Gaza gathered in Times Square.

Israel has come under huge international pressure over its military action in Gaza, culminating in the UK, France, Canada, Australia and other countries recognising a Palestinian state this week.

In his opening remarks, Netanyahu displayed a map labelled “The Curse” that he said showed Iranian proxy groups across the Middle East. He then highlighted Israeli military operations across the past year against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Gaza and Iran.

He thanked US President Donald Trump for American involvement in bombing Iran’s Fordo nuclear site in June, and drew parallels between Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and the 9/11 attack on the US. He said the two countries were fighting the same enemies, pointing to chants of ‘death to America’ by groups linked to Iran.

The Israeli prime minister repeated that Israel would not allow a Palestinian State to exist and said this position was supported by the vast majority of Israelis.

He went on to rebuff the conclusion of a UN Commission of Inquiry that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, claiming the charge was “baseless”.

He also rejected statements by multiple UN agencies that Israel was deliberately restricting the amount of aid entering Gaza. In August, a UN-backed body confirmed that famine was taking place in Gaza City.

Ahead of his speech, Netanyahu’s office ordered that the Israeli military mount loudspeakers on trucks near the Gaza perimeter fence in order to broadcast his words live across the territory.

Netanyahu also claimed that Israeli intelligence had hacked the smartphones of people in Gaza and would stream his speech to them directly. BBC sources in Gaza said their phones had not been affected.

He said the intention of this was for a message to reach Israeli hostages there.

“Our brave heroes,” he read on the podium. “This is Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking to you live from the United Nations. We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you. We will not falter, and we will not rest until we bring all of you home.”

There are 48 hostages remaining in Gaza, 20 of whom are thought to be alive.

Delegates left the General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stepped up to the podium to speak at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (Pic: The Independent)