The core message of Benjamin Netanyahu’s UN address was unambiguous: Israel will not accept a Palestinian state and will not end its war in Gaza until its objectives are met. The Israeli Prime Minister delivered this hardline declaration to a mostly empty chamber following a large-scale diplomatic walkout.
“It’s insane, and we won’t do it,” Netanyahu said of a two-state solution, directly rebuking the 157 nations that now recognize Palestine. He argued that such a move would be a victory for terrorism and a grave threat to Israel’s existence.
He then pledged to see the Gaza campaign through to its conclusion, stating the “final remnants of Hamas are holed up in Gaza City” and Israel “must finish the job.” This vow was made as the civilian death toll in the besieged territory continued to rise, with over 22 killed on the day of his speech alone.
The address came amid other diplomatic pressures, including a warning from Donald Trump against annexing the West Bank. By focusing on Gaza and Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu confronted his most vocal international critics while sidestepping a potential rift with a key American political figure.
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