Netanyahu Addresses UN General Assembly, Cites Iran Threat and Hamas Attacks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, addressing both the October 7th Hamas attacks and the ongoing conflict with Iran. He began by calling on "moral cowards" to leave the hall if they remained.

"And now you want to hear the greatest irony? Israel also protects many of those countries whose representatives have just left this hall. Moreover, I want you to know that many of their leaders even privately thank us for preventing the creation of nuclear weapons in Iran. We will win, we have no other choice!" Netanyahu declared, asserting that Israel had halted a global threat from Iran. He described the decision to neutralize Iranian nuclear facilities as one of the simplest he had made as prime minister, despite its complexity, emphasizing that failure to act would have placed Israel under mortal danger.

The prime minister also criticized Britain and France for accusing Israel of colonialism, deeming the claims absurd coming from nations with past colonial empires. He presented a pager as a reminder of Hezbollah terrorists' use of such devices, suggesting the group's representatives would remember the events well.

Earlier, Netanyahu had stated he prepared "surprises" for the UN audience, intending to refute what he considered false accusations and defend Israel's position.