Netanyahu Condemns Palestinian State Recognition as UN Diplomats Walk Out

Mon Oct 20 2025 21:29:49 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a fiery UN address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the growing recognition of a Palestinian State, prompting a walk-out from numerous officials. The speech coincided with protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza.

During his speech at the UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the recent recognition of Palestinian statehood by various Western nations, labeling it a 'mark of shame'. As he spoke, many diplomats staged a walk-out, contributing to significant discontent among attendees. Outside, protesters in Times Square expressed their opposition to Israel's military actions in Gaza. Netanyahu's comments followed intense international scrutiny over Israel's military campaigns and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where UN reports suggest grave conditions for civilians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attacked the recognition of a Palestinian State by multiple Western countries during a combative speech at the UN General Assembly.

Netanyahu labelled the recognition moves a mark of shame that sent the message murdering Jews pays off.

Dozens of officials and diplomats staged a walk-out as he took to the podium, leaving large parts of the conference hall empty. Outside, protesters against Israel's war in Gaza gathered in Times Square.

Israel has come under huge international pressure over its military action in Gaza, culminating in the UK, France, Canada, Australia and other countries recognizing the State of Palestine this week.

In his opening remarks, Netanyahu displayed a map labelled The Curse that he said showed Iranian proxy groups across the Middle East. He then highlighted Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Gaza, and Iran.

He thanked US President Donald Trump for American involvement in bombing Iran's Fordo nuclear site in June, and drew parallels between Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel and the 9/11 attack on the US.

The Israeli prime minister went on to refute the conclusion of a UN commission of inquiry that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, claiming the charge was baseless.

He also rejected statements by multiple UN agencies that Israel is deliberately restricting the amount of aid entering Gaza. In August, a UN-backed body confirmed that famine was taking place in Gaza City.

Ahead of his speech, Netanyahu's office ordered that the Israeli military mount loudspeakers on trucks near the Gaza perimeter fence to broadcast his words live across the territory.

He also claimed Israeli intelligence hacked the smartphones of people in Gaza to stream his speech to them directly. BBC sources in Gaza reported that their phones were unaffected.

Netanyahu claimed the intention was for a message to reach Israeli hostages there: Our brave heroes, he read from the podium. This is Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking to you live from the United Nations. We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you. We will not falter, and we will not rest until we bring all of you home.

There are currently 48 hostages remaining in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive.

Netanyahu also indicated that Israel was nearing a de-escalation agreement with Syria and urged the Lebanese government to enhance efforts against Hezbollah.

His speech was met with backlash from political opposition in Israel, with Yair Lapid criticizing him for being unconvincing amidst a diplomatic crisis.

Donald Trump, commenting shortly after Netanyahu's address, suggested that a ceasefire deal for Gaza may be close.

International journalists remain barred from independent entry into Gaza, complicating the verification of claims from both sides of the conflict.

Since the onset of the war triggered by Hamas's attack on 7 October 2023, Israeli military actions have resulted in at least 65,549 fatalities in Gaza, per reports from the Hamas-run health ministry.