Israeli leader at UN: ‘We will win. We have no other choice’

“Destroying Iran’s nuclear facilities is difficult…” Netanyahu said. “But for me, this is one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever taken as Prime Minister. Because if we don’t do it, we’re all going to die.”

Many delegates left the General Assembly Hall as the Prime Minister took the podium, just hours after Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who addressed the gathering via video after being denied a visa to enter the United States.

It has been almost three years since the attack by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on October 7, which, according to Israeli sources, led to the deaths of more than 1,200 Israelis, the kidnapping of 251 hostages, and the launch of an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip. According to Gaza health authorities, the operation has resulted in the deaths of more than 73,000 Palestinians, and thousands more disappeared under the rubble.

Rejecting accusations that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, Netanyahu said the Government’s actions there were aimed at defeating Hamas while protecting civilians. “Here’s the simple truth. Israel did not commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide.”

He noted that Israel has worked to reduce civilian casualties through evacuation warnings, telephone calls and leaflets and has facilitated large amounts of humanitarian aid and vaccinations.

“Which genocidal regime gives one million polio vaccinations to an enemy population? Which genocidal regime allows the distribution of two million tons of food to Gaza? That’s one ton for every person.”

The prime minister also denied reports of settler violence in the West Bank, calling what was happening there the work of a “few naughty kids”, and adding that the resulting toll was probably two or three times a year.

Disinformation ‘eighth front’ in Israel’s war

Netanyahu noted that, over the past three years, Israel has been fighting on seven fronts – “Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, Iran, militias in Iraq, militias in Syria, Palestinian terrorists in Judea and Samaria.”

Citing the “eighth front” in Israel’s war for survival, Netanyahu accused international media, social media and some governments of spreading anti-Israel and antisemitic narratives, particularly Qatar and Türkiye.

“Tyrants around the world are trying to threaten us. They are trying to weaken our resolve with their campaign of lies,” he said. “But in the end, just like on a military battlefield, the Jews will win.”

Netanyahu also criticized Western governments that oppose Israel’s policies and argued that many countries apply double standards to Israel.

He also lashed out at the Mayor of New York City, claiming that Jews no longer feel safe there since Zohran Mamdani took office.

“Mr Mamdani, you tried to stop me from coming here. You tried to silence me. Yes, you can’t silence me. You can’t silence the truth. You can’t silence me. You can’t silence me. You can’t silence me. You can’t silence me. You can’t silence the truth.”