Daily lens Report
Dozens of delegates staged a dramatic walkout on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mounted the podium at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), underscoring the deep divisions over Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.
Unfazed, Netanyahu delivered a fiery speech vowing to “finish the job” against Hamas, declaring that the group’s last fighters in Gaza City must be eliminated. “They vow to repeat the atrocities of Oct. 7 again and again. That is why Israel must finish the job—and as fast as possible,” he said.
The address was not confined to the UN hall. Netanyahu’s office arranged for his remarks to be blasted on loudspeakers toward Gaza and streamed to residents’ cellphones. He also issued a direct message to the roughly 20 hostages still believed to be alive: “We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. We will not falter until we bring you home.”
Turning his sights on Hamas and its allies, Netanyahu warned: “Lay down your arms. Free the hostages—all of them. If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.”
Armed with a marker and map, the Israeli leader ticked off what he described as his country’s military successes over the past year—strikes on the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah. He also thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for assisting Israel in a June attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, which he claimed “lifted a dark cloud that could have claimed millions of lives.”
But Netanyahu’s tough message was shadowed by dissent. Outside the UN headquarters in New York, relatives of hostages held in Gaza staged protests, demanding that leaders prioritize their release. Inside, his remarks triggered a coordinated walkout by representatives of multiple nations opposed to Israel’s war strategy.
Netanyahu also lashed out at countries that recently recognized a Palestinian state, saying their actions amounted to siding with “the most savage terrorists on Earth.” He warned: “It will be a mark of shame on all of you.”
The speech capped a turbulent visit to New York, marked by cold diplomatic receptions, street protests, and a sharp spotlight on Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
