Netanyahu’s UNGA speech triggers walkout amid Gaza war protests

ISLAMABAD: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a mass walkout at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday as he delivered a combative defense of Israel’s war in Gaza, laced with Islamophobic remarks, attacks on Western states recognizing Palestine, and warnings against Iran.

Netanyahu addressed a largely empty hall after dozens of delegations walked out in protest over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 65,500 people, mostly civilians, according to local health authorities. His speech was broadcast along the Israel-Gaza border via loudspeakers mounted on trucks as part of an official campaign to project his message inside Gaza.

Netanyahu, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes, lashed out at France, Britain, Australia, and Canada for recognizing a Palestinian state. He compared the move to “murdering Jews,” accusing these governments of “rewarding terrorism.”

He warned that establishing a Palestinian state near Jerusalem would be like “giving Al Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11,” dismissing the idea as “sheer madness.”

Iran as “terror axis”

Holding up a map labeled “The Curse,” Netanyahu described Iran as the hub of a “terror axis” threatening “the peace of the entire world” and Israel’s existence. He cited Israel’s strikes on Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas, and even took credit for the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Iran’s foreign ministry denounced the speech as “Islamophobic propaganda” aimed at justifying “genocide in Gaza” and condemned what it called Israel’s attempts to distract from its war crimes.

Rejection of genocide

Responding to genocide accusations, Netanyahu claimed Israel takes unprecedented measures to protect civilians, saying, “For Israel, every civilian casualty is a tragedy. For Hamas, it is a victory.”

He accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields but rejected responsibility for Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe, which UN agencies warn has pushed the enclave to the brink of famine.

Hamas response

Hamas welcomed the mass boycott, saying it underscored Israel’s deepening isolation. “Boycotting Netanyahu’s speech is one manifestation of Israel’s isolation and the consequences of the war of extermination,” said Taher al-Nunu, media adviser to Hamas political bureau.

Netanyahu also dismissed the Palestinian Authority as “corrupt to the core,” accusing it of incentivizing violence against Israelis. He argued the PA was no different from Hamas in opposing Israel’s existence.

Hostages and US support

Speaking directly to families of hostages still held in Gaza, Netanyahu vowed they would not be forgotten: “We will not rest until we bring all of you home.” He praised US President Donald Trump for supporting Israel and urged the UN Security Council to reinstate sanctions against Iran to prevent it from rebuilding its nuclear program.

Rejection of ceasefire

The Israeli leader rejected international appeals for a ceasefire as “empty posturing,” insisting that many governments privately thank Israel for countering terrorism. He described Israel’s post-October 7 response as “one of the most stunning in history,” though fighting continues.

Despite ruling out Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu signaled openness to peace with Lebanon and Syria through direct talks. He suggested that defeating Hamas could clear the way for broader normalization with Arab and Muslim-majority states, but warned Western leaders against “shoving a terror state down our throats.”