Netanyahu defends Gaza and Lebanon attacks in U.N. speech

On Friday morning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations and vowed to continue waging war on Gaza and Lebanon.

Netanyahu told attendees that Israel will “continue degrading Hezbollah” until its military objectives are met and vowed to keep bombing Gaza until “total victory” is achieved. He also threatened Iran, who he claimed was behind many of the problems in the region.

“If you strike us, we will strike you,” declared Netanyahu.

“For too long, the world has appeased Iran,” he added. “That appeasement must end.”

Netanyahu also lashed out at the very body he was addressing, accusing the United Nations of being a “house of darkness” and a “swamp of antisemitic bile.”

He claimed that he wasn’t planning on delivering a speech to the U.N. this year, “but after I heard the lies and slanders leveled at my country by many of the speakers at this podium, I decided to come here and set the record straight.”

Netanyahu also brandished two maps, detailing how he envisioned the influence of Iran and said the world much choose between a “blessing” and a “curse.”

Many diplomats walked out in protest as Netanyahu made his way to the podium, but the Prime Minister brought a contingent of supporters to the hall who applauded his presence.

Protests

Netanyahu was greeted by protest as soon as he arrived in New York City on Thursday. Thousands rallied and then marched to the United Nations headquarters, in an action organized by the Shut It Down For Palestine Coalition, which includes which includes the Palestinian Youth Movement, PAL-Awda NY, the People’s Forum, Nodutdol, the ANSWER Coalition and other groups.

“Israel has disrespected every single resolution and decision that the United Nations and the ICJ have made regarding Palestine. Yet, now the US allows Netanyahu to step food in New York and speak before the very institution he systematically violates. We the people will remind him and the world that war criminals are NOT welcome here,” said the People’s Forum’s Layan Fuleihan.

“Israel is a rogue state committing atrocities against the will of the international community. Its presence in the UN is a disgrace to international law. Netanyahu is the architect of countless war crimes and an ongoing genocide, and therefore should be held accountable through any means available,” said the Palestinian Youth Movement’s Munir Marwan.

25 protesters were arrested for blocking the route of Netanyahu’s motorcade, including actor Rowan Blanchard. “Netanyahu is not welcome in New York,” declared Blanchard.

Widening War

Netanyahu addressed the U.N. one year ago, shortly before the October 7 attack.

During that speech he claimed that peace was about to move through the Middle East as a result of an historic agreement that Israel was about to sign with Saudi Arabia.

“There’s no question the Abraham Accords heralded the dawn of a new age of peace,” he told the crowd. “But I believe that we are at the cusp of an even more dramatic breakthrough, an historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia will truly create a new Middle East.”

This time around he finds himself increasingly more isolated on the global stage, as the Israeli government has killed tens of thousands in Gaza and over 1,000 so far in Lebanon.

Netanyahu reportedly reneged on a Lebanon ceasefire proposal pushed by the United States shortly before the address, but apparently softened his stance after the Biden administration threatened to cancel all meetings with him.

Shortly after Netanyahu’s speech Israel bombed south Beirut, leveling six residential buildings. Israeli media has reported that it was an attempted assassination of Hezbollah’s Secretary General, Hasan Nasrallah. Lebanese sources told the Iranian news agency, Tasnim that Nasrallah is in a safe place. Reuters and AFP also quoted sources close to Hezbollah who say Nasrallah is still alive.

The Times of Israel reports approved of the strikes from his New York City hotel, right before he gave his U.N.

The Biden administration was reportedly informed of the attack shortly before it happened. It just comes just one day after Israel announced that it had secured an $8.7 billion military aid package from the United States.