Netanyahu Condemns Western Nations for Palestinian Recognition as Delegates Walk Out

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant address to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, denouncing the recent wave of Palestinian state recognitions by Western countries as “shameful” and “sheer madness,” in a speech punctuated by the unprecedented sight of dozens of delegates walking out in protest.

Diplomatic Isolation Deepens

As Netanyahu approached the podium, representatives from France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Monaco, Andorra, and San Marino exited the chamber, joining the roughly 150 nations that previously recognized Palestinian statehood—bringing the total to 157 of 193 UN members, or 81% of the global community CNN RTE. These Western capitals formalized recognition at the UN gathering mere days after their leaders condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks that killed some 1,200 Israelis and abducted 251 hostages Newsweek.

In his speech, Netanyahu accused these governments of “buckling” under pressure and “rewarding intolerant fanatics who perpetrated and supported the October 7th massacre,” likening granting Palestinians a state adjacent to Jerusalem to giving Al-Qaeda a state near New York City after September 11 CNN. He warned that such moves undermine counterterrorism efforts and isolate Israel diplomatically at a moment when its campaign against Hamas enters its third year.

Vow to Continue Military Operations

Despite mounting international censure, Netanyahu vowed to “finish the job” against Hamas in Gaza, where the conflict has claimed over 65,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s health ministry CNN. He declared that “the final remnants of Hamas” are “holed up in Gaza City” and pledged that Israel would not cease operations until all hostages are freed. Addressing the captives directly in both Hebrew and English, Netanyahu assured them, “We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you” RTE.

The speech was broadcast into Gaza via loudspeakers from the Israeli border, underscoring Israel’s determination. Netanyahu’s remarks precede his scheduled meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday, where discussions are expected to focus on a Gaza ceasefire—though Trump reiterated that he “will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank” despite pressures from far-right coalition partners RTE.