Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the recognition of a Palestinian state by several Western countries in a speech at the UN General Assembly, labeling the actions as a “mark of shame”. He expressed that such recognitions imply that “murdering Jews pays off.” During his speech, many diplomats and officials walked out, leaving parts of the hall empty. Outside, demonstrators gathered to protest Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s remarks came amid significant international scrutiny regarding Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Countries such as the UK, France, Canada, and Australia have recently recognized the State of Palestine, which Netanyahu suggested reflects growing pressure on Israel. In his opening statements, he displayed a map he described as illustrating the influence of Iranian proxy groups in the region and detailed Israeli military engagements over the past year.
He thanked former US President Donald Trump for American military actions against Iran’s nuclear capabilities and linked recent attacks by Hamas to broader international threats, citing parallels with the 9/11 attacks in the United States. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s stance against the establishment of a Palestinian state and rejected claims made by a UN commission that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, calling the allegations baseless.
Additionally, he disputed assertions from various UN agencies about Israel’s restrictions on aid to Gaza. Ahead of his address, Netanyahu’s office arranged for his speech to be broadcast in Gaza through loudspeakers, which raised questions among some residents about its impact on an already strained population. He expressed a commitment to bringing home Israeli hostages believed to be held in Gaza.
After his speech, opposition leaders in Israel criticized Netanyahu’s approach, with comments highlighting his reliance on outdated strategies. In contrast, Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas had previously indicated willingness to collaborate on a peace plan. Following Netanyahu’s address, former President Trump hinted at potential progress regarding a ceasefire in Gaza but shared no specifics, emphasizing the ongoing complexity of the situation.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with a reported number of deaths in Gaza vastly outpacing those in Israel since the hostilities escalated on October 7, 2023.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cderxxylpzdo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss