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Netanyahu Defends Israel’s Iran and Gaza Military Campaign
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech at the United Nations on September 24.
He said Israel was right to attack Iran because he believed Iran could develop nuclear weapons.
He also defended Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu rejected accusations that Israel was committing genocide and called them a very serious lie.
Many people left the room when he began speaking.
He called the people who left “moral cowards.”
Netanyahu talked about the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and said Israel had to keep fighting.
He criticized several leaders, including Turkey’s president and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
He also said Israel would continue resisting and winning.
Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions against Iran and Hamas in his September 24 address to the United Nations General Assembly.
Many delegates walked out after Netanyahu began speaking, following a call from the Palestinian Mission to the United Nations.
Netanyahu called allegations that Israel committed genocide in Gaza “the biggest lie of the century” and said Israel had sought to protect civilians.
He described Israel’s decision to attack Iran as one of the easiest decisions he had made, saying it was necessary to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
Netanyahu criticized Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zohran Mamdani, Britain and France, while condemning West Bank vigilantism and pledging that Israel would continue fighting.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly and criticized Hamas, Iran, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zohran Mamdani, Britain and France.
- What
- Netanyahu defended Israel’s military operations against Iran and Hamas, rejected genocide allegations, and attacked international criticism of Israel.
- Where
- The United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- When
- Thursday, September 24, during the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
- Why
- Netanyahu said Israel’s military actions were needed for self-defense, to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and to prevent another attack like Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault.
Critics of Israel’s campaign
Israel’s defense of its campaign
Gaza military operations
Critics of Israel’s campaign
Critics accuse Israel of committing genocide and war crimes in Gaza and have condemned its military campaign.
Israel’s defense of its campaign
Netanyahu rejected the genocide allegation as “the biggest lie of the century” and said Israel’s campaign is directed against Hamas while taking steps to protect Palestinian civilians.
Attack on Iran
Critics of Israel’s campaign
International criticism was directed at Israel’s military policies and its attack on Iran.
Israel’s defense of its campaign
Netanyahu said attacking Iran was an easy decision because Israel needed to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, adding that Israel was also defending other countries.
Israeli actions in the West Bank
Critics of Israel’s campaign
International criticism has focused on violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank.
Israel’s defense of its campaign
Netanyahu called the perpetrators “juvenile delinquents,” said he opposed vigilantism, and argued that attention was focused on a relatively small number of young people.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
- Event
- Address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly
- Date
- September 24
- Iran rationale
- Netanyahu said attacking Iran was necessary to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.
- October 7 attack
- About 1,200 people were killed, according to Israeli figures cited in the article.
- Pager explosions
- The September 17, 2024 operation wounded more than 3,000 people and killed 12, including two children, according to material cited in Netanyahu’s speech.
- Walkout
- Delegates left the chamber after Netanyahu took the podium following a call from the Palestinian Mission to the United Nations.
Quotes
Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister of Israel addressing delegates who remained in the UN General Assembly chamber
“If there are any other moral cowards who have not yet left the hall, please do so now.”
livemint.com
“The latest country to become a super spreader of antisemitic lies is Turkey.”
livemint.com
Sources
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