Key Points
- Condemns Western recognition of Palestinian statehood, calling it encouragement of terrorism
- Dozens of diplomats stage walkout during address in protest over Gaza war
- Defends Israel’s military campaign, dismisses ICC charges as “antisemitic slanders”
- Claims prolonged war will deliver broader regional peace despite international isolation
UNITED NATIONS: In a defiant speech that sharply contrasted with US President Donald Trump’s earlier vow to block Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday declared that the two-state solution is “dead.”
An unapologetic Israeli Prime Minister addressed a divided chamber of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, from where a majority of participants staged a walkout before he began his speech. Netanyahu’s speech also marked a direct challenge to several Western nations, including France, Ireland, Spain, Australia, and Canada, that have either recognised Palestinian statehood recently or expressed support for a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Israeli Prime Minister went too far in condemning them.
According to Netanyahu, the creation of a Palestinian state is no longer a viable path forward in light of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the ongoing war in Gaza. His remarks placed him at odds with Western allies such as France, Ireland, Spain, Australia, and Canada, which have recently recognised or endorsed Palestinian statehood as part of a two-state framework.
He accused these countries of “rewarding terror” and “ignoring the true threat,” adding: “Recognition of a Palestinian state in the current context is a reward for terror and an encouragement to more violence,” he apparently toed the similar expressions made by the US President in his recent joint presser with the British PM Strammer in London.
“Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and innocent people everywhere,” Netanyahu told the departing delegates in an almost empty chamber due to a walkout in protest of the Israeli aggression against Palestinians.
Despite the visible dissent, Netanyahu pressed on by saying, “Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure. I guarantee you one thing: Israel won’t.” Applause broke out from some delegations, while others remained seated in silence. The U.S. delegation, which has supported Israel’s war effort, did not join the walkout.
Netanyahu defended Israel’s offensive in Gaza, pledging to “finish the job” against Hamas and ensure Israeli security. He dismissed charges of war crimes and genocide before the International Criminal Court (ICC) — which issued an arrest warrant for him in November 2024 — as “antisemitic slanders.”
Looking ahead, Netanyahu hinted at a regional strategy, arguing that Middle East peace must come “from the outside in” through normalisation with Arab states, not through concessions to Palestinians. He identified Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas as the main obstacles to stability and vowed to eliminate them in totality. He also recalled his country’s targeted attacks on all his opponents, ranging from Iran to Yemen’s Houthis.
He added that Israel’s eventual victory would expand the Abraham Accords and could even pave the way for peace with Lebanon and Syria, despite current hostilities.
Earlier, the Palestinian Authority had urged UN members to boycott Netanyahu’s speech, describing him as a “war criminal.” In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, related to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza that began in October 2023.
While Netanyahu was delivering a speech at the UNGA, the Palestinians and sympathizers were protesting outside the UN building.
At least 65,549 Palestinians have been killed and 167,518 injured in Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, the Health Ministry said on Friday.
The Israeli military resumed large-scale strikes on March 18 after a brief ceasefire and prisoner swap, killing nearly 13,000 more people in the months since, according to ministry figures.
Netanyahu’s categorical rejection of the two-state formula underscores a widening rift with Western capitals and complicates future diplomatic efforts. While Trump’s peace initiative once sought to prevent unilateral annexation and promote dialogue, Netanyahu’s UNGA speech signalled that any future negotiations will be strictly on Israel’s terms.
