Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended his country’s military campaigns against Iran and Hamas, while accusing international critics of distorting Israel’s actions.
Speaking at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Netanyahu said Israel’s decision to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities was necessary to prevent what he described as an existential threat, while delegations from several countries walked out of the chamber.
The Israeli leader opened his address by challenging delegates who had left the hall, saying, “If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t yet left this hall—please do so now.”
He devoted much of the speech to Israel’s security concerns, tracing them from the 1967 Six-Day War to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
Recalling his late brother, Yoni Netanyahu, who was killed during the 1976 Entebbe hostage rescue operation, Netanyahu repeated the words he said his brother gave him before the Six-Day War: “We’re going to win. We have no other choice.”
Netanyahu linked those words to Israel’s current military campaign, saying the country had faced attacks from what he described as seven fronts involving Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iran and armed groups in Iraq, Syria and the West Bank.
He claimed Israel had inflicted major losses on several of those groups, including Hezbollah, while praising the United States for its military cooperation with Israel.
“In this battle against the barbarians, we’ve had no greater partner than President Trump,” Netanyahu said, thanking the American president for what he called his “bold leadership.”
The Israeli prime minister also used the address to reject allegations that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza.
“Accusing Israel of genocide is the greatest lie of the century,” he said, arguing that Israel had taken measures to protect Palestinian civilians during military operations.
Netanyahu said Israel had issued warnings through text messages, telephone calls and leaflets, while also accusing Hamas of using civilians and civilian facilities as human shields.
His remarks came as the Gaza war remains a major focus of international debate, with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling for de-escalation and dialogue during the opening of the General Assembly’s general debate.
Netanyahu also attacked Qatar and Türkiye, accusing both countries of supporting or providing platforms for Hamas and criticising their governments over their positions toward Israel. He singled out Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and accused him of seeking Israel’s destruction. Türkiye and Qatar have rejected Israeli accusations concerning their roles in the conflict.
Turning to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Netanyahu accused him of failing to adequately confront antisemitism and criticised his positions on Israel and the Gaza war.
“Mr. Mamdani, you tried to stop me from coming here, you tried to silence me. You can’t silence me. You can’t silence the truth,” he said.
Netanyahu further called on Jews around the world to reject fear and urged countries he described as democratic to oppose what he characterised as extremist threats.
He also addressed Iran, predicting that the country’s current leadership would eventually fall.
“One day, and it may not be far away, the Iranian people will be free,” Netanyahu said.
The prime minister ended his address by returning to the theme of Jewish survival and Israel’s determination to defend itself.
“If we muster our courage, if we steel our resolve, we will continue to win,” he said, before concluding with the words, “We have no other choice.”