Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized a recent decision by ten nations, including France and the United Kingdom, to recognize Palestine. He condemned the move as “terribly wrong” and asserted it would “promote terrorism against Jews – and against innocent people everywhere” labeling it a “mark of shame.
The Prime Minister’s address was punctuated by visible protest, with numerous delegations demonstratively leaving the room at the beginning of his remarks. Applause followed the walkouts, requiring repeated attempts by the assembly leadership to restore order before Netanyahu could begin speaking.
Netanyahu claimed a significant portion of Gaza’s population had expressed support for or celebrated the Hamas attacks of October 2023. He further asserted that Palestinians are opposed to a two-state solution, stating, “They don’t want a state alongside Israel. They want a Palestinian state in place of Israel”. This contrasted with a speech delivered the previous day by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who expressed a desire for a sovereign state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
To highlight the events of October 2023, Netanyahu wore a QR code lapel that directed viewers to related content. He also arranged for a portion of his speech to be broadcast through loudspeakers along the Gaza Strip, specifically addressing the hostages held by Hamas. “We will not hesitate and we will not rest, until we bring you all home” he declared.
Responding to accusations of genocide against the Palestinian population, Netanyahu drew parallels to historical anti-Semitic blood libels, accusing his critics of engaging in tactics reminiscent of medieval accusations against Jews.
The Israeli Prime Minister also publicly commended German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz, quoting him as having “spoken the truth: Israel is doing the dirty work for all of us”. He further suggested similar reactions would have been taken by the United States had it faced a comparable attack.
Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns continue to escalate in Gaza. A recent assessment by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative indicated a state of hunger in portions of the Gazan Strip, reaching the most severe level – crisis – affecting a significant portion of the population. Over half a million people are facing catastrophic conditions characterized by hunger, deprivation and mortality, while over a million others are in emergency situations. The IPC anticipates that nearly a third of Gaza’s population will be affected by these dire conditions by the end of September. Israel continues to restrict humanitarian aid deliveries into the region.