At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was met with an unprecedented mass walkout by delegates during his speech. As he vowed to continue Israel’s war on Gaza, his words drew a sharp divide inside the hall—jeers and applause clashed in equal measure. Netanyahu declared that Israel “must finish the job” against Hamas, addressing both global leaders and Israeli hostages held in Gaza. In a dramatic revelation, he claimed that Israeli intelligence had taken over Gaza residents’ phones to stream his address, ensuring captives could hear his message: “We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you.”
Netanyahu lashed out at countries that recently recognised Palestinian statehood, calling their decision “disgraceful” and accusing them of encouraging terrorism worldwide. His fiery rhetoric came even as international pressure on Israel mounts, with accusations of war crimes filed against him and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant at the International Criminal Court. “Western leaders may have buckled under pressure,” Netanyahu said, “but Israel won’t.” He warned Hamas fighters to lay down arms, adding, “If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.” Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump sought to draw a red line, stating that he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, declaring, “There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”
Outside the heavily fortified UN headquarters, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in growing numbers, amplifying the backlash to Netanyahu’s speech. Nidaa Lafi, an organiser with the Palestinian Youth Movement, told the Associated Press that Israel’s war is “about the complete ethnic cleansing of Palestine, about the exploitation and the stealing of Palestinian land.” Protesters chanted “shame” as Netanyahu spoke inside, underscoring the widening gulf between Israel and much of the global community. Despite the outcry, Netanyahu positioned Israel as a bulwark against “radical Islam,” insisting that his country’s fight was not only for itself but for the wider world.
