Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Netanyahu Vows Israel Will Fight On Despite UN Condemnation
Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel’s prime minister.
He told the United Nations that Israel would keep fighting until it believed it had won.
Many representatives left the room because they strongly disagreed with Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Netanyahu mainly warned about Iran and said its people might someday replace their government.
He also criticized Turkey’s president and New York’s mayor.
The mayor has supported arresting Netanyahu over allegations of war crimes.
A United Nations-backed monitor said some parts of Gaza were experiencing famine.
Another panel supported by the United Nations said Israel was committing genocide, while Israel rejected such criticism.
Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly that Israel would continue its wars until achieving victory.
Many delegates left the chamber before or during his speech, reflecting international criticism of Israel’s campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.
Netanyahu focused on Iran, predicting that its people would eventually overthrow their government.
He criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has called for his arrest.
The speech came as a UN-backed monitor reported famine in parts of Gaza and another panel accused Israel of genocide.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UN delegates, Iranian leaders, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
- What
- Netanyahu delivered a speech defending Israel’s wars and criticizing its opponents and international critics.
- When
- Thursday, during Netanyahu’s unusually short trip to New York; an Israeli election is scheduled for the following month.
- Where
- The United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- Why
- Netanyahu said Israel had to continue fighting because it had no other choice and needed to achieve victory.
Israeli Government Position
International Critics’ Position
Continuing the wars
Israeli Government Position
Netanyahu said Israel must keep fighting and defending itself until victory because it has no other choice.
International Critics’ Position
Critics point to the international condemnation of Israel’s campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon and argue that the fighting has caused severe humanitarian harm.
Characterization of Israel’s conduct
Israeli Government Position
Netanyahu said accusations against Israel, including claims of genocide, were false and described his speech as defending the truth.
International Critics’ Position
A UN-backed monitor reported famine in parts of Gaza, while another panel supported by the UN said Israel was committing genocide.
Netanyahu’s legal status
Israeli Government Position
Netanyahu criticized Zohran Mamdani’s efforts to stop him from coming to New York and rejected the accusations against Israel.
International Critics’ Position
Mamdani has called for Netanyahu’s arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant alleging war crimes, although Mamdani acknowledged he lacked authority to arrest him in New York.
- Speaker
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- Venue
- United Nations General Assembly
- Main message
- Israel will continue fighting until it achieves victory
- Main adversary highlighted
- Iran
- International response
- Many delegates left the chamber, reflecting criticism of Israel’s campaigns
- Gaza conditions
- A UN-backed monitor declared famine in parts of Gaza
- Legal controversy
- Netanyahu faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over alleged war crimes, according to the report