Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech Friday to the UN General Assembly, rejecting international pressure to halt the war in Gaza and declaring that Israel “must finish the job” against Hamas.
“Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure,” Netanyahu told delegates. “And I guarantee you one thing: Israel won’t.”
The address begin with a dramatic walkout. Dozens of representatives left the chamber as Netanyahu took the podium. Shouts echoed from some seats, while applause rang out from the gallery, where Netanyahu’s office had invited pro-Israel supporters, including American lawyer Alan Dershowitz. Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon accused the Palestinian delegation of orchestrating the protest to create the appearance of mass opposition.
Wearing a special hostage lapel pin with a QR code linking to an Oct. 7 website, Netanyahu began by addressing the captives in Gaza. “Our heroic brothers — this is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking to you from the UN stage. We have not forgotten you for even a second. The entire nation is with you. We will not rest and we will not relent until we bring you all home — the living and the fallen alike.”
He then turned to Hamas with a sharp warning in English: “Lay down your arms. Free all [the] hostages now … If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.”
Netanyahu insisted the war could end quickly if Hamas surrenders. “If Hamas agrees to our conditions the war can end immediately. Gaza will be demilitarized, Israel will take security control and a civil authority will be established by Gazans and others, committed to peace with Israel.”
He lashed out at Western countries that recognized Palestinian statehood this week — including Britain, France, Canada and Australia — saying: “Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere.”
He sharpened the attack further: “You know what message the leaders who recognize the Palestinian state this week sent to the Palestinians? It’s a very clear message: murdering Jews pays off.”
Netanyahu also accused critics of antisemitism: “Antisemitism dies hard. In fact, it doesn’t die at all.”
“Over time, many world leaders buckled,” he said. “They buckled under the pressure of a biased media, radical Islamist constituencies and antisemitic mobs. There’s a familiar saying, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Well, for many countries here, when the going got tough, you caved.”
Netanyahu argued Israel is fighting not just for itself but for the West. “You already feel the rise of Islamic radicalism in your societies. You know that Israel is fighting your war,” he said. He claimed Western leaders privately thank Israel for intelligence that has prevented attacks in their countries.
He also praised President Donald Trump, his most important international ally, crediting him for striking Iran and supporting Israel’s campaign. Trump told reporters Friday before leaving the White House for the Ryder Cup in New York that he is “close” to a deal to end the war in Gaza and bring the remaining hostages home.
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