Chaos erupted at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stormed the stage, delivering a defiant speech that drew boos, mass walkouts, and angry protests outside.
The Israeli leader, wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, raged at Western countries that recently recognised Palestine.
“It will be a mark of shame on all of you,” he snapped, slamming their “disgraceful decision.”
“Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews, and against innocent people everywhere,” he warned.
But most of the world wasn’t listening. Delegates emptied the hall in protest as thousands of demonstrators swarmed New York streets, chanting against Israel’s brutal war that has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians.
“He is not welcome to New York City,” a Palestinian Youth Movement representative told Al Jazeera. “It is unconscionable that elected officials in the US and in New York City and nationally are rolling the red carpet for him.”
Netanyahu, unfazed, doubled down. “Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure,” he barked. “And I guarantee you one thing: Israel won’t.”
He vowed to crush Hamas, warning militants directly: surrender and release Israeli captives — or die. “We have not forgotten you, not even for a second,” he said of the hostages. “The people of Israel are with you. We will not falter, and we will not rest until we bring all of you home.”
Critics accuse him of dragging out the war to cling to power. Even Israeli lawmakers say his refusal to strike a ceasefire is blocking the hostages’ release.
Netanyahu waved a map titled “The Curse,” bragging about Israel’s “seven-front war” against Gaza, Yemen, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraqi militias.
He taunted Western allies, saying, “You know deep down that Israel is fighting your fight.”
The US delegation applauded — but most of the world looked away.
Netanyahu flatly denied genocide despite UN findings and famine reports in Gaza.
“If we were trying to commit genocide, we would not tell them to evacuate,” he said, instead blaming Hamas for stealing and reselling aid.
As boos, walkouts, and fury surrounded him, Netanyahu made one thing clear: he won’t back down, no matter how much blood is spilled, or how few friends Israel has left.
