Netanyahu Addresses UN, Accuses Qatar and Turkey of Spreading Lies

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address at the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday to a mix of boos and chants of "Am Yisrael Chai" (The People of Israel Live), with dozens of attendees walking out as he started speaking. Netanyahu responded with a half-smile, inviting any "moral cowards" to leave. He reiterated his 2010 pledge to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, calling the decision to act against Iran's nuclear facilities one of the easiest he had to make, stating, "If we hadn't done it, we would all be dead." He asserted that Israel protects many nations whose representatives walked out, and that their leaders privately thank Israel for thwarting Iran's nuclear program. Netanyahu expressed belief that the Iranian people would eventually overcome their regime, which he described as murderous, corrupt, and cruel.

Netanyahu then addressed the October 7th Hamas attacks, emphasizing that no Israelis were in Gaza at the time, yet Hamas committed the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust with "satanic glee" and "sadistic joy," broadcasting their atrocities live. He stated that Israel, with American support, has struck Hamas and Hezbollah, and countered accusations of genocide by highlighting Israel's efforts to warn Gaza civilians, including sending millions of text messages and leaflets, and providing substantial aid, including one million polio vaccinations and one million tons of food.

He also criticized foreign media coverage, particularly regarding the West Bank, dismissing the actions of about 150 young individuals throwing stones and cutting olive trees as minor incidents that Israel's security service, Shin Bet, is handling, contrasting this with the label of "settler violence" which he argued results in only two or three deaths annually.

Netanyahu specifically accused Qatar and Turkey of being major disseminators of lies and antisemitic propaganda against Israel. He detailed Qatar's extensive funding of American universities and media outlets like Al Jazeera to foster hatred towards Israel, the US, and the West, noting Qatar hosts Hamas officials involved in the October 7th attacks. He characterized Turkish President Erdoğan as a tyrant who also hosts Hamas leaders, has a history of violence against Kurds, denies the Armenian genocide, imprisons journalists, illegally occupies northern Cyprus, and attacks Greece, while calling for Israel's destruction.

Addressing New York City Mayor Eric Adams' advisor, Zahraan Mamdani, Netanyahu stated that many Jews no longer feel safe in New York, citing Mamdani's praise for individuals convicted of supporting Hamas and his alleged endorsement of posts calling for the destruction of Tel Aviv. Netanyahu concluded by asserting that Israel prevented genocide, not committed it, and urged Jews worldwide to be proud and not ashamed, stating that the days of Jews being defenseless victims are over.