Netanyahu Rejects Palestinian State at UN: "National Suicide" for Israel Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a forceful address at the United Nations on Friday, adamantly rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state and claiming such a move would amount to "national suicide" for Israel.

During his speech, Netanyahu accused European nations of incentivizing violence by recognizing Palestine, stating they had sent "a very clear message that murdering Jews pays off."

Speaking to the General Assembly, Netanyahu declared, "Israel will not allow you to shove a terrorist state down our throats," and added, "We will not commit national suicide because you don't have the guts to face down the hostile media and antisemitic mobs demanding Israel's blood."

Netanyahu vowed to "finish the job" against Hamas, despite President Donald Trump's simultaneous claim that a ceasefire deal was imminent. The Israeli leader mentioned that portions of his speech were being broadcast on military loudspeakers in Gaza.

The Israeli Prime Minister's appearance at the UN came after Britain, France, and other Western powers formally recognized a Palestinian state. Netanyahu criticized Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas, who had condemned both the October 7 attack and antisemitism in his own virtual address the previous day, calling the Palestinian Authority "corrupt to the core."

In response, Palestinian foreign ministry official Adel Atieh described Netanyahu's address as "the speech of a defeated man." Notably, Netanyahu avoided discussing the annexation of the West Bank, which some members of his cabinet have threatened as a means to eliminate prospects for Palestinian statehood.

Trump, who Netanyahu will meet in Washington on Monday, has cautioned against annexation while promoting his own Gaza peace plan that includes Hamas disarmament. Shortly after Netanyahu's speech, Trump stated, "I think we have a deal."

Netanyahu's journey to New York involved an unusual flight path over the Strait of Gibraltar, likely due to his facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes, including using starvation as a weapon.

Many delegations walked out as Netanyahu approached the podium. Nearby in Times Square, protesters demanded his arrest. "War criminals don't deserve any peace of mind. They don't deserve any sleep," said Andrea Mirez, who participated in an overnight protest outside Netanyahu's hotel.

In his address, Netanyahu forcefully rejected accusations that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, pointing out that Gazans were repeatedly urged to evacuate areas of conflict. However, humanitarian law also classifies forced displacement as a war crime. Nearly the entire Gaza population has been displaced during the conflict.

The Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, killed 1,219 people, primarily civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's subsequent military campaign has resulted in more than 65,549 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians, based on figures from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable.

On the day of Netanyahu's speech alone, Gaza's civil defense agency reported twenty fatalities across the territory. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders announced they were forced to suspend operations in Gaza City due to ongoing Israeli military actions.

During his speech, Netanyahu mentioned that portions were being broadcast via loudspeaker in Gaza, hoping to reach both Hamas leaders and remaining hostages. Addressing the hostages directly in Hebrew, he said, "We have not forgotten you — not even for a second." Some hostage families have criticized Netanyahu's renewed military campaign, advocating instead for a ceasefire to secure their loved ones' release.

Netanyahu's UN appearance came months after he ordered major airstrikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. During his presentation, he displayed a map of the Middle East and dramatically crossed out adversaries Israel has eliminated. The Iranian delegation boycotted his speech.