Netanyahu issues warnings towards Iran and Hezbollah, while also levelling criticisms towards the UN.
Amidst escalating tensions with Hezbollah, Israeli Prime Minister visits the UN General Debate. There, he maintains an aggressive stance, disregards the calls for a truce, and labels the UN a "haven of anti-Semitic fury". Several nations' delegates leave the assembly during his speech initiation in protest.
Israel, as indicated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will persist with its actions against Lebanon's Hezbollah militia, in spite of truce advocates' pleas from various countries. "We'll persistently apply pressure on Hezbollah until we accomplish all our objectives," Netanyahu declared before the UN General Assembly in New York. The U.S., Germany, and other nations advocate for a three-week ceasefire aiming for a diplomatic end to the conflict.
Since the start of the Gaza war, roughly a year ago, Hezbollah has frequently launched rocket attacks against Israel. Its intentions are to support the Hamas in the Gaza Strip in its struggle against Israel and attain truce in the Gaza war. In response, Israel has counterattacked similarly. However, it has intensified its air raids in Lebanon recently, resulting in hundreds of casualties and the displacement of thousands.
Netanyahu addresses Lebanon
Addressing the Lebanese population, Netanyahu opined: "We are not at war with you. We are at war with Hezbollah that has overtaken your country and poses a threat to ours." As long as Hezbollah pursues the path of war, "Israel has no other choice," Netanyahu noted. He emphasized that Israel holds "the right to expel this menace and restore our citizens to safety, and that's exactly what we're doing."
Hezbollah, a militia backed by Iran, has also exerted significant political influence in Lebanon. Concurrently, Netanyahu threatened Iran with a stern retaliation: "I convey a message to the tyrants in Tehran: If you attack us, we will attack you in return." The appeasement policy towards Iran must be discarded.
"We confront fierce adversaries"
Netanyahu made clear that he would continue to shield his nation against numerous adversaries. Israel yearns for tranquility and strives for it. "However, we face fierce enemies intent on our annihilation. And we must safeguard ourselves from these ruthless assassins. Our foes do not merely desire to destroy us. They aim to dismantle our shared civilization and pull us back to a time of oppression and terrorism," Netanyahu said.
As long as Hamas refuses to abandon its weapons and free the Israeli captives, the conflict persists. "If they do not, we will persevere until achieving unconditional victory. There's no alternative," Netanyahu preached. Following a devastating terrorist attack by Islamic Hamas in Israel, putting a halt to more than 41,000 lives, mainly civilians, Israel retaliated by invading the Gaza Strip. The ensuing war caused mass international controversy against Israel's conduct of the war.
Netanyahu showcased the military operation in New York as a success, highlighting that over half of Hamas members were either killed or captured before the terrorist strike. Prior to the attack, the organization boasted nearly 40,000 members and more than 15,000 rockets. This arsenal has been almost entirely obliterated.
In response to Israel, delegates from numerous nations walked out of the assembly hall as Netanyahu commenced his speech. Camera shots during his delivery revealed empty seats from the Iranian and Saudi delegations. Protests in favor of Palestine erupted near the UN grounds, while a belligerent crowd supporting Netanyahu, including his wife and son, as well as family members of the hostages, was also spotted inside the hall. Added to this, Israeli allies were seated on the podium, cheering for their Prime Minister.
As a matter of fact, Netanyahu had not initially planned on attending New York, he stated. "But after hearing the inaccuracies and slanders numerous speakers spread about my country on this podium, I decided to come here and dispel these misconceptions." He criticized the United Nations and its members: "In this hotbed of anti-Semitic vengeance, an automatic majority is ready to condemn the Jewish state for any infraction."
The European Union, as a strong advocate for peace and international law, has expressed concern over Israel's actions against Hezbollah and the escalation of tensions in the region. Despite this, Netanyahu's speech at the UN General Assembly received mixed reactions, with some European nations remaining in the assembly while others chose to protest outside.
