Dozens of country representatives walked out of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stage to deliver his address, amid growing international criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Despite the walkout, Netanyahu pressed forward with a defiant speech focused on Israel’s campaign against Hamas.
“We’re not done yet,” he declared. “The final elements, the final remnants of Hamas, are holed up in Gaza City. They vow to repeat the atrocities of October 7 again and again… That is why Israel must finish the job, and that is why we want to do so as fast as possible.”
In a rare move, Netanyahu’s office announced that the speech would be broadcast live via loudspeakers aimed at Gaza and streamed to the cell phones of residents, including those of hostages still believed to be held by Hamas.
Addressing the hostages directly, Netanyahu said in Hebrew and English:
“Our brave brothers, this is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking to you live from the United Nations. We have not forgotten you, not even for a second… We will not falter and we will not rest until we bring all of you home.”
Turning to Hamas, he issued a stern warning:
“Lay down your arms, let my people go, free the hostages — all of them. If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.”
Using a map previously displayed at the UN to highlight threats from Iran and its allies, Netanyahu recounted Israel’s military operations over the past year:
“We’ve hammered the Houthis, including yesterday. We crushed the bulk of the Hamas terror machine. We crippled Hezbollah, taking out most of its leaders and much of its weapons arsenal.”
He added that “thousands of terrorists dropped to the ground,” in what he described as a sustained counterterrorism campaign.
Netanyahu also credited former U.S. President Donald Trump for assisting Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites earlier this year:
“President Trump and I promised to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and we delivered on that promise,” he said, calling the operation a blow to “a mortal threat to the civilized world.”
Before leaving Tel Aviv for New York, Netanyahu condemned leaders who voiced support for Palestinian statehood during the UN summit.
“When the most savage terrorists on Earth are praising your decision, you didn’t do something right, you did something horribly wrong,” he said. “It will be a mark of shame on all of you.”
Outside the UN headquarters in New York, families of hostages still held in Gaza gathered to protest. They urged Netanyahu and world leaders to prioritize efforts to secure the release of the captives.
Meanwhile, inside the General Assembly hall, Netanyahu’s remarks were met with mixed reactions, applause from allies and silence or empty seats from critics.
