Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly rejected allegations of genocide in Gaza during his address at the United Nations General Assembly. He described the accusations as false and defended Israel’s military actions as necessary for the country’s security. Netanyahu’s speech, however, faced disruption as a significant number of delegates exited the assembly hall in protest before and during his remarks.
In his address, Netanyahu also justified Israel’s military actions against Iran, labeling the decision to attack as one of the easiest he had made. He asserted that these actions were crucial for national security and claimed that some countries privately support Israel’s stance against Iran. While defending Israel’s military strategies, Netanyahu condemned those who walked out of his speech, criticizing them for not acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defense.
Netanyahu’s speech highlighted the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, as a basis for Israel’s military initiatives. He also expressed gratitude to former US President Donald Trump for supporting efforts against Iran. Netanyahu rebuffed claims of Israeli war crimes and denied that Israel’s operations in Gaza amounted to genocide.
The Israeli prime minister also addressed the situation in the West Bank, emphasizing that violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians should not be tolerated. Despite international criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and ongoing debates over the future of Palestinian territories, Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would not establish a Palestinian state under his leadership, questioning the Palestinian Authority’s viability as a peace partner.