Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, firmly dismissed allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, labeling the accusations as false. His address served as a defense of Israel’s military actions, particularly in light of continued international criticism over the country’s conduct in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s speech was notably marked by the disruption caused by a significant number of delegates exiting the General Assembly hall before and during his address. He criticized those who walked out, accusing them of failing to acknowledge Israel’s right to defend itself.
During his remarks, Netanyahu defended Israel’s aggressive posture toward Iran, describing it as one of the simplest decisions he has made in his tenure. He argued that Israel’s actions are essential for national security and claimed that some countries privately support Israel’s stance against Iran. Netanyahu expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for backing actions against Iran.
The speech highlighted the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, to underscore Israel’s military campaign. Netanyahu also rejected accusations of Israeli war crimes and reiterated that Israel’s actions in Gaza do not amount to genocide.
Addressing the situation in the Palestinian territories, Netanyahu defended Israel’s position on the West Bank while acknowledging that violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians should not be tolerated. He maintained that under his leadership, Israel will not establish a Palestinian state and expressed skepticism about the Palestinian Authority’s role as a peace partner.