On September 27, 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a nearly empty United Nations General Assembly, following the exit of numerous international representatives in protest.
Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to eliminating Hezbollah and Hamas, labeling them as terrorist organizations threatening civilization. He described Iran and its allies as a 'curse' and called for support for Israel's efforts to bring 'blessing' to the Middle East.
During his speech, Netanyahu referred to Palestinians and Lebanese as 'savage killers' and claimed that their enemies aim to destroy not just Israel but all of civilization, calling this a decisive moment for future generations.
He defended Israel's military actions in Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in over 41,500 Palestinian deaths, including more than 10,000 children, asserting that Israel provides significant food aid to the region. Netanyahu attributed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to Hamas, accusing them of hoarding supplies.
He declared that Israel would continue to target Hezbollah until its objectives are met and emphasized that Hamas must surrender to end the conflict, dismissing any prospects for peace negotiations.
Netanyahu criticized the UN for its numerous resolutions against Israel, claiming that the organization has condemned Israel more than any other country in the last decade. He insisted Israel has the right to eliminate threats to its citizens.
The Assembly's previous speakers condemned Israel's actions, with Slovenia's Prime Minister Robert Golob urging Netanyahu to cease hostilities and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing the situation in Gaza as a systematic massacre of innocents.