Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a starkly mixed reception at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, September 26, 2025. His appearance came against the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and escalating regional tensions with Iran.
Before Netanyahu began his address, dozens of delegates walked out in protest—a symbolic gesture underscoring mounting international outrage over the humanitarian toll in Gaza. The atmosphere in the hall was tense, with sections of the audience alternating between boos, cheers, and even shouting as Netanyahu spoke.
In his remarks, Netanyahu vowed that Israel would “finish the job in Gaza as fast as possible,” declaring that the “final remnants of Hamas are holed up in Gaza City.” He directly addressed Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, promising they had not been forgotten. His words, broadcast via loudspeakers into the territory, reaffirmed his government’s pledge to secure their return.
The prime minister also recounted the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and led to the abduction of dozens of hostages. “Much of the world no longer remembers October 7. But we remember,” Netanyahu told delegates. Israeli officials say 48 hostages remain in Gaza.
Netanyahu catalogued Israel’s military gains against Hamas and other Iranian-backed groups, while defending the campaign despite Gaza health officials reporting more than 65,000 Palestinian deaths since the war began. His comments drew both criticism and applause, reflecting the deep divides over Israel’s actions.
On Iran, Netanyahu praised U.S. President Donald Trump for his “bold, decisive action” and urged the international community to prevent Tehran from rebuilding its nuclear capabilities. He declared that Israel had “removed an existential threat of Iran” and called for the elimination of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles.
As he concluded, reactions in the chamber remained polarized: scores of delegates absent in protest, while others offered a standing ovation from the balcony. The scene captured the global split over Israel’s war policy and its future in the region.
