Netanyahu Addresses UN, Criticizes Iran, Hamas, and Western Nations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, amidst Israel's ongoing election campaign. During his address, a significant number of attendees reportedly left the hall while "Am Yisrael Chai" was sung, to which Netanyahu responded sarcastically, "If there are any more cowards who haven't left yet, do so now." He addressed tensions with Iran, the situations in Gaza and Lebanon, and international criticism of Israel.

Netanyahu asserted that destroying Iran's nuclear facilities was difficult but necessary, stating, "If we hadn't done it, we would be dead." He claimed that leaders from several nations privately thanked Israel for this action. He presented a Starlink satellite communication device, used by protesters in Iran, and urged the audience to pass it to the Iranian delegation, suggesting it could be used by defectors to inform the world. He also addressed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, referencing the historical Jewish presence in the Golan Heights, and criticized European nations for accusing Israel of colonialism.

Regarding Hezbollah, Netanyahu displayed a pager, recalling the organization's past intentions to harm Israelis and stating that its leaders were eliminated. He mentioned Hezbollah's arsenal of 150,000 missiles aimed at Israeli civilians before the war, asserting that Israel had "broken them and their spirit." He countered claims of settler violence in the West Bank by highlighting Palestinian terrorist attacks, including the shooting of a pregnant woman and the ramming of Neriah Lightner, son of Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Litman, stating that settler violence results in far fewer casualties annually.

Netanyahu also criticized Qatar and Turkey for spreading what he called lies about Israel, accusing Turkish President Erdoğan of hosting Hamas officials and aspiring to control Syria. He defended Israel's actions in Gaza, stating that Hamas uses civilians as human shields and that Israel takes extensive measures to warn Gazan civilians, calling accusations of genocide the "biggest lie." He directly addressed New York City Mayor Eric Adams, accusing him of making Jews feel unsafe and of praising Hamas terrorists.

Netanyahu concluded by urging Jews worldwide to stand proud and fearless, contrasting Israel's stance with what he described as the weakness of some Western European countries that have "surrendered to antisemites." He expressed confidence that the Iranian people would achieve freedom and that the current regime would fall. Following his speech, Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, presented the Starlink device to the Iranian representative.