Benjamin Netanyahu’s appearance at the United Nations General Assembly was a portrait of defiance, as he clashed with the overwhelming sentiment of the international community. Facing a hall emptied by a mass walkout, the Israeli Prime Minister vowed to continue his war in Gaza and vehemently denounced the global trend towards recognizing a Palestinian state.
“It’s insane, and we won’t do it,” Netanyahu declared, referring to a two-state solution, a policy long supported by his country’s closest allies. He accused the UK, France, and others of making a “horribly wrong” decision that would fuel terrorism, shortly after the number of nations recognizing Palestine rose to 157.
The speech was not only a diplomatic battle but also a declaration of military intent. Netanyahu stated that Israel “must finish the job” in Gaza City to ensure attacks like October 7 never happen “again and again and again.” This statement came as humanitarian agencies reported more than 22 deaths in Gaza on the same day.
Netanyahu attempted to counter the narrative of isolation by claiming that many world leaders privately support his actions. He also used visual aids, including a QR code linking to footage of Hamas attacks, in a bid to shape public opinion, though the primary audience in the hall had already left in protest.