Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a defiant front at the United Nations, dismissing the positions of key allies and vowing to continue his military campaign in Gaza. His speech was punctuated by a mass walkout of diplomats protesting his hardline stance.
Netanyahu explicitly condemned countries like the UK and France for their recent recognition of a Palestinian state, calling their decision “horribly wrong” and “sheer madness.” He asserted that such a move rewards the violence of October 7 and would not be entertained by his government.
The Israeli leader pledged to “finish the job” in Gaza, targeting what he described as the final Hamas strongholds in Gaza City. This commitment was made despite widespread international condemnation of the humanitarian crisis, which has led to accusations of war crimes from the International Criminal Court.
The address was delivered to a mostly empty hall, with even the US and UK delegations staffed by junior diplomats. Netanyahu, however, claimed that many world leaders privately express support, a statement that stood in stark contrast to the public display of diplomatic dissent.
