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Edited by: Fern Sidman
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took center stage at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Friday morning, delivering a forceful address on the growing threats posed by Iran and the escalating violence in Lebanon. Just days after President Joe Biden reiterated American support for Israel, Netanyahu reinforced Israel’s commitment to defending itself and seeking peace in the region. His speech, made with the gravity of recent events weighing heavily, underscored both the immediate crises Israel faces and the long-term vision of peace with Arab nations.
Netanyahu began by addressing the tragic attacks that occurred on October 7th, when terrorists infiltrated Israel, committing acts of violence that he described as “unimaginable atrocities.” In a heartfelt declaration, he vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, stating, “We will not rest until the remaining hostages are safely returned.” The Prime Minister was joined by family members of those held hostage, amplifying the emotional weight of his speech. As reported by World Israel News, Netanyahu’s pledge was firm: “We will bring your loved ones home. We will not stop until this mission is accomplished.”
The Prime Minister’s speech framed the current situation in the Middle East as one of critical choice. He spoke of two possible futures—one marked by peace and normalization between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and the other dominated by continued conflict, largely fueled by Iranian influence. WIN reported that Netanyahu positioned Israel as a peace-seeking nation, declaring, “Israel seeks peace, Israel makes peace, and Israel will make peace again.” His vision for the region, however, hinges on addressing the pervasive threat posed by Iran, whose influence he described as the root cause of instability and violence.
Netanyahu firmly stated that Israel will not allow Hamas to rebuild its hold on the Gaza Strip after the ongoing conflict. Drawing a historical parallel, Netanyahu compared the potential resurgence of Hamas to allowing the Nazis to rebuild Germany after World War II, stressing that such an outcome would be disastrous for both Israel and global security. As reported by The New York Post, Netanyahu’s words were a clear message to the international community that Israel’s military operations in Gaza are not just about defending its borders but about preventing a resurgence of terrorist influence that could destabilize the region.
One of the speech’s central themes was Netanyahu’s sharp criticism of the international community’s leniency towards Iran. He stated, “Iran funds terror networks across five continents. The world has appeased Iran for too long. This appeasement must end now.” Citing the wide-reaching impact of Tehran’s support for terrorism, Netanyahu urged the UN Security Council to take decisive action. World Israel News highlighted Netanyahu’s warning to the global community that Israel will not hesitate to defend itself: “If you strike us, we will strike you. We will reach every corner of the Middle East.”
The Prime Minister’s emphasis on the Iranian threat came in the wake of President Biden’s speech to the General Assembly. Biden had focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, laying blame at the feet of Hamas, which he accused of exploiting aid intended for civilians. In his remarks, Biden charged that “terrorists steal food that we allow into Gaza and inflate prices to maintain control,” painting a grim picture of Hamas’s grip over the region. According to World Israel News, Biden called on the international community to confront the realities of the conflict, stating that dismantling Hamas is not only necessary for regional stability but for the humanitarian well-being of the Palestinian people.
Netanyahu’s remarks also turned to the broader regional conflict, particularly the role of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Following the initial attack, Hezbollah escalated the situation by firing rockets and missiles into Israeli territory, leading to the displacement of thousands of Israelis. World Israel News reported that Netanyahu took a firm stance on Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, a sentiment echoed by President Biden in his earlier address. Biden had noted that “Hezbollah has fired rockets and missiles from private homes, schools, and hospitals. Israel has every right to defend itself, and that is exactly what they are doing.”
The speeches by Netanyahu and Biden highlighted a shared understanding between Israel and the United States regarding the nature of the threats they face. Both leaders focused on the danger posed by Iranian-backed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, while also emphasizing the importance of global unity in addressing these challenges. For Netanyahu, the fight against Iran is not just about Israel’s security, but about the future stability of the entire Middle East. As World Israel News pointed out, Netanyahu’s final message to the UN was unequivocal: the time for appeasing Iran has passed, and the global community must act decisively to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
One of the key themes of Netanyahu’s speech was the call for a renewal of the Abraham Accords, the groundbreaking 2020 agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. Netanyahu emphasized the need for international support to expand these accords, particularly in light of the ongoing negotiations for a peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The potential for such an agreement has been a focus of recent diplomatic efforts, with both Israel and Saudi Arabia expressing cautious optimism. As Netanyahu pointed out, peace with Saudi Arabia would represent not only a significant victory for Israel but a transformative shift for the entire Middle East. The New York Post highlighted Netanyahu’s argument that renewed support for the Abraham Accords is critical to counterbalancing Iranian influence and advancing regional stability.
Netanyahu’s speech, however, was not solely focused on peace. It was also a fierce rebuke of the international community’s treatment of Israel, particularly in the context of the nearly year-long conflict with Hamas in Gaza. A report in The New York Post indicated that in a scathing critique, Netanyahu denounced the United Nations General Assembly as a “swamp of antisemitic bile,” a pointed remark delivered just as dozens of diplomats staged a walkout in protest ahead of his address. The Prime Minister lashed out at the growing global criticism of Israel’s military actions against Hamas, accusing international bodies and progressive movements of profound ignorance about the true nature of the threats Israel faces. He argued that the UN had devolved into an “anti-Israel flat-earth society,” fostering baseless accusations against Israel’s defensive measures.
According to The New York Post, Netanyahu’s rebuke was particularly fierce regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Prime Minister rejected the ICC’s allegations that Israel had deliberately targeted civilians in Gaza, describing these accusations as the product of “profound moral confusion.” He also expressed disdain for the “self-described progressives” who, in his words, naively march against Israel’s war effort without understanding the realities of living under the shadow of “Iranian goons” who they seemingly support. These statements were a direct attack on international critics who have rallied against Israel’s military strategies in Gaza, as well as broader opposition movements in the U.S. and Europe.
In his speech, Netanyahu saved some of his harshest words for Iran, one of the main geopolitical actors in the region and a nation that has long been at odds with Israel. With Iran’s delegation notably absent from the session, Netanyahu issued a stark warning: “If you strike us, we will strike you.” He went further, asserting that “there is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach. And that is true of the entire Middle East.” According to The New York Post, Netanyahu’s words were a clear signal that Israel is prepared to act against Iranian aggression anywhere in the region, underscoring Israel’s military capabilities and its willingness to confront threats head-on.
The speech came nearly a year after the brutal October 7th attack, in which the Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel. The New York Post report also said that Netanyahu recounted the horrific events of that day in vivid detail, reminding the UN audience of the atrocities committed by Hamas fighters, who “burned families alive” and “maimed women.” These remarks were a grim reminder of the ongoing threat that Israel faces from Iranian-backed terrorist groups in the region. The attack, which catalyzed Israel’s subsequent offensive in Gaza, also provoked aggression from Hezbollah in Lebanon, adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
The prime minister also took the opportunity to defend Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have come under heavy international scrutiny. Netanyahu firmly rejected accusations of disproportionate force, stating, “No army has done more to protect civilians than Israel.” He defended Israel’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties in its fight against Hamas, while also condemning those who vilify Israel’s actions without understanding the complex reality of urban warfare against a terrorist organization entrenched within civilian areas. According to The New York Post, Netanyahu’s defense of Israel’s military ethics was an appeal for global solidarity, calling on the international community to recognize the necessity of Israel’s actions to defend its citizens from terrorism.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have only escalated since, with both nations engaging in tit-for-tat strikes. In April, Iran launched a series of direct attacks against Israel in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike near the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria. These incidents further highlighted the complex and dangerous dynamic in the region, where Israeli and Iranian forces regularly confront each other through proxy groups and direct military actions. As The New York Post noted, Netanyahu’s speech was not only a reflection on the past year of conflict but a sobering assessment of the future, in which Iran remains a central threat to Israel’s security.
Reflecting on his 40-year diplomatic career, Netanyahu offered a poignant moment of historical reflection, recalling his first address to the UN in 1984. At that time, he spoke out against a proposal to expel Israel from the United Nations. Fast forward to the present day, Netanyahu sees echoes of those same challenges, not from Hamas, but from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, whom Netanyahu accused of obstructing peace rather than facilitating it. “Today, I stand against the same proposals—not from Hamas, but from Mahmoud Abbas, who is supposed to be a partner for peace,” Netanyahu said. This remark, according to The New York Post, was a clear indictment of Abbas’s leadership, which Netanyahu believes has only deepened divisions and fueled animosity, rather than advancing peace.
In his concluding remarks, Netanyahu called for a united global front against terrorism and for the protection of democracy. He urged the international community to reject the fanaticism of groups like Hamas and to support the democratic values that Israel represents in the Middle East. His closing words were both a reaffirmation of Israel’s strength and a message of hope for the future: “The torch of Israel will shine forever. Am Yisrael Chai,” which translates to “The people of Israel live.” As reported by The New York Post, this powerful declaration encapsulated Netanyahu’s enduring belief in Israel’s resilience and the nation’s ability to overcome the challenges it faces both internally and externally.
Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations could be characterized as a bold and unapologetic defense of Israel’s military and diplomatic actions, while also laying out a vision for a more peaceful and secure Middle East. His call for international solidarity in the fight against terrorism, coupled with his emphasis on the importance of the Abraham Accords and peace with Saudi Arabia, demonstrated his determination to secure Israel’s future both militarily and diplomatically. As The New York Post highlighted, Netanyahu’s message was clear: Israel will continue to defend itself, seek peace, and build alliances, but it will not tolerate the resurgence of terrorism within its borders.
