At U.N., Amid Jeers and Cheers, Netanyahu Says Israel 'Must Finish the Job' in Gaza
UNITED NATIONS — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, vowing that his nation "must finish the job" against Hamas in Gaza despite growing international isolation.
Dozens of delegates from multiple nations walked out of the U.N. General Assembly hall en masse as Netanyahu began speaking, while others jeered and cheered in response to his words. The Israeli leader's address came after a series of countries recognized Palestinian statehood, a move that Netanyahu condemned as "disgraceful."
"You're making a grave mistake," Netanyahu told fellow world leaders. "Your decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and innocent people everywhere." He added, "Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure. And I guarantee you one thing: Israel won't."
The speech was met with widespread criticism from countries that have recognized Palestinian statehood, including several European nations and South Africa. The move is seen as a significant shift in international opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In recent weeks, several countries have announced their intention to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, citing concerns over Israel's treatment of Palestinians in Gaza. The decision has been met with opposition from the United States, which has traditionally been a strong ally of Israel.
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in widespread devastation and loss of life, with many accusing Israel of using disproportionate force against civilians. Human rights groups have also criticized Israel for its blockade of Gaza, which they say amounts to collective punishment.
Netanyahu's speech was seen as an attempt to rally international support for Israel's actions in Gaza, but it appears to have had the opposite effect. Many countries are now calling for a ceasefire and an end to the violence.
The United States has been criticized for its role in the conflict, with many accusing President Joe Biden of not doing enough to pressure Israel to end the war. The U.S. has traditionally been a strong supporter of Israel, but there are signs that this may be changing.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, international leaders are calling for calm and an end to the violence. The United Nations has issued several statements condemning the use of force against civilians and urging both sides to work towards a peaceful resolution.
The conflict is likely to continue in the coming days, with many predicting that it will take months or even years to resolve. In the meantime, international leaders are calling for restraint and an end to the violence.
Background:
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, with both sides claiming a right to the land. The situation has been exacerbated by Israel's blockade of Gaza, which has resulted in widespread poverty and unemployment.
In recent years, there have been several attempts at peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine, but they have all ended in failure. The current conflict is seen as one of the worst in decades, with many predicting that it will take a long time to resolve.
Additional Perspectives:
The conflict has sparked widespread debate around the world, with many calling for an end to the violence. In Europe, several countries have announced their intention to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, citing concerns over Israel's treatment of Palestinians in Gaza.
In the United States, there are signs that public opinion is shifting on the issue. A recent poll found that 60% of Americans support recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state, while only 30% oppose it.
Current Status and Next Developments:
The conflict in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with many predicting that it will take months or even years to resolve. International leaders are calling for calm and an end to the violence, but it appears unlikely that this will happen anytime soon.
In the coming days, there are likely to be several developments in the conflict, including a possible ceasefire and an attempt by international leaders to broker a peace deal. However, many predict that these efforts will be met with resistance from both sides, making it difficult to achieve a lasting resolution.
*Reporting by Npr.*
