Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the United Nations General Assembly that Israel’s military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities was necessary to prevent what he described as an existential threat to Israel and the wider world.
In a strongly worded address, Netanyahu defended Israel’s decision to strike Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, saying he had pledged to prevent what he called Iran’s “murderous dictatorship” from acquiring nuclear weapons capable of threatening Israel.
“Devastating Iran’s nuclear facilities was hard. It was very hard to do. But for me, it was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make as prime minister, because if we hadn’t done it, we’d all be dead,” he said.
Netanyahu argued that Israel’s military campaign had also served the security interests of other countries, claiming that several world leaders had privately thanked Israel for eliminating Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
He described criticism of Israel’s actions as hypocritical, particularly from countries that, in his view, had benefited from Israel’s efforts to confront threats from Iran and its regional allies.
Israel’s case for self-defence
The Israeli leader framed the country’s current conflict within the broader history of Israel’s security challenges, recalling the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel faced neighbouring Arab armies.
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He argued that Israel’s territorial disputes should not be viewed separately from what he described as the country’s longstanding struggle for survival.
According to Netanyahu, Israel in 1967 controlled only a small fraction of the territory of the Arab world and was nevertheless facing threats of destruction.
He also recalled his experience as a young Israeli during the 1967 crisis and his brother, Yoni Netanyahu, who later became commander of the Israeli force that rescued hostages held at Entebbe Airport in Uganda in 1976.
Netanyahu said his brother had told him before the 1967 war: “We’re going to win. We have no other choice.”
He presented the statement as a reflection of Israel’s longstanding determination to defend itself against threats to its existence.
Gaza war and genocide allegations
The Prime Minister also rejected allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, saying Israel’s objective has been to defeat Hamas while limiting harm to civilians.
“Here’s the simple truth. Israel didn’t commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide,” Netanyahu said.
He pointed to Israeli evacuation warnings, telephone calls and leaflets as measures he said were intended to protect civilians during military operations.
He also cited humanitarian assistance and vaccination programmes in Gaza, asking: “What genocidal regime gives a million polio vaccinations to the enemy’s population?”
The remarks came amid the continuing consequences of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks, in which more than 1,200 people were killed in Israel and 251 hostages were taken, according to Israeli authorities. Israel subsequently launched its military campaign in Gaza.
Gaza health authorities have reported more than 73,000 Palestinian deaths since the war began, with thousands more people reported missing under the rubble.
Netanyahu rejects West Bank criticism
Netanyahu also rejected broader criticism of Israeli settlers and violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
He characterised the perpetrators of settler violence as a small number of “juvenile delinquents”, arguing that such incidents should not be used to portray Israel as a whole.
He said Israel had been fighting what he described as a multi-front war involving Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iran, armed groups in Iraq and Syria, and Palestinian militants in the West Bank.
Netanyahu added what he called an “eighth front” — international criticism and what he described as anti-Israel and antisemitic narratives in international and social media.
Delegations walk out
Netanyahu’s speech was marked by a visible walkout by numerous delegations as he approached the podium.
The address came shortly after Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas addressed the General Assembly by video after being unable to attend the session in person.
Netanyahu also criticised Western governments over their treatment of Israel and accused them of applying double standards.
Turning to New York City politics, he claimed that Jews no longer felt safe in the city following the election of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
“Mr. Mamdani, you tried to stop me from coming here. You tried to silence me. Well, you can’t silence me. You can’t silence the truth,” Netanyahu said.
Throughout the address, Netanyahu presented Israel’s military actions as part of a broader campaign to protect the country from threats that he said extend from Iran and armed groups in the Middle East to international diplomatic and media pressure.
He concluded by insisting that Israel would continue to defend itself against what he described as efforts to undermine its existence and resolve.