At UNGA, Netanyahu calls Palestinian statehood “sheer madness,” vows Israel will not allow it
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stage at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday and didn’t hold back. In a passionate 45-minute speech, he slammed the idea of creating a Palestinian state, drawing stark parallels between Israel’s October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas and the 9/11 terror strikes in the U.S.
“Handing the Palestinians a state just one mile from Jerusalem after October 7 is like giving al-Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after 9/11,” Netanyahu said. U.S. delegates, Israel’s key ally and top military backer, clapped as he spoke. He called recent moves by Western nations to recognize Palestine “sheer madness” and “national suicide,” targeting countries like France, the UK, Australia, and Canada. Netanyahu accused them of caving to pressure from activists and biased media, essentially rewarding Hamas for the brutal assault that killed about 1,200 people and took over 200 hostages.
He vowed Israel will “finish the job” in Gaza, insisting the war won’t stop until Hamas is completely dismantled. Netanyahu rejected accusations of genocide against Israel, pointing the finger at Hamas for civilian deaths and starvation in the region. “This is insane, and we won’t do it,” he added, warning that such recognitions—now from 157 countries—only encourage more attacks on Jews and innocents worldwide.
Shifting to hope, Netanyahu painted a brighter picture for the Middle East. He believes Israel’s fight could expand the Abraham Accords, the normalization deals with Arab nations that former U.S. President Donald Trump helped broker five years ago. Peace with Lebanon is possible despite clashes with Hezbollah, he said, and Israel has even reached out to Syria, even as Damascus blasts Israeli strikes.
Netanyahu didn’t spare the Palestinian Authority either. He claimed it pays terrorists to kill Jews—the more victims, the bigger the payout—and called the group “corrupt to the core” for failing on reform promises. This came a day after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the UNGA, stressing readiness to work with the U.S., Saudi Arabia, France, and the UN for Gaza peace and vowing Palestinians won’t leave their homeland.
The speech sparked mixed reactions in the hall—applause from supporters, jeers from critics. Netanyahu ended on a defiant note: “On October 7, our enemies tried to extinguish Israel’s light. But with God’s help, our resolve will lead to victory, prosperity, and peace.”
Outside the UN, Netanyahu’s visit fueled pro-Palestine protests in New York. His Friday slot shared the stage with leaders from Pakistan, China, Ireland, and Greece at the UNGA’s annual debate.
To drive the message home, Netanyahu’s office rolled out a bold public campaign in the city. Dozens of huge billboards and mobile trucks popped up near UN headquarters and bustling Times Square, flashing “Remember October 7” in English. Each one included a QR code linking to a website with docs on the Hamas attacks and the ongoing crisis of 48 hostages still held in Gaza. The push, led by the Prime Minister’s spokesperson unit, aims to remind world leaders and the public of Hamas’s “unbelievable brutality.”
Tensions add context: An Israeli strike in Qatar this month has strained ties with Gulf states, dimming hopes for Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization amid the Gaza war.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
