Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly starkly illustrated Israel’s growing isolation on the world stage. The Israeli Prime Minister spoke to a nearly empty chamber after a mass walkout by diplomats from over 50 countries, who protested his government’s policies in Gaza and its rejection of Palestinian statehood.
In his speech, Netanyahu fiercely attacked the 157 nations that now recognize Palestine, including recent additions like the UK, France, and Australia. He called their decision “horribly wrong” and a dangerous encouragement for terrorism. This diplomatic rift was further emphasized by the presence of only junior-level officials in the delegations of remaining allies like the US and UK.
Netanyahu doubled down on his military strategy, promising to see the war in Gaza through to its conclusion to eliminate Hamas. “The final remnants of Hamas are holed up in Gaza City,” he declared, adding, “we must finish the job.” This vow was made amidst ongoing reports of civilian casualties in the besieged territory.
Adding a theatrical element, Netanyahu used a QR code to display footage from the October 7 attacks and claimed his speech was being broadcast to hijacked phones in Gaza, an assertion that could not be independently verified. He also delivered a direct threat to Hamas leadership, promising they would be hunted down unless they surrendered and released all 48 remaining hostages.