Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced significant backlash at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as he delivered his speech on Friday, with many delegates leaving the chamber in protest. This was a stark contrast to the sustained applause that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas received the previous day for his virtual address, where he criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and called for full UN membership. Netanyahu’s speech, which was broadcast to Gaza and streamed to local mobile phones, included a direct appeal to hostages, emphasizing Israel’s resolve to bring them home.
During his address, Netanyahu revealed that the speech was being broadcast to the Gaza Strip and streamed to local mobile phones, ensuring that the message reached a wide audience beyond the UNGA hall. He dedicated a significant portion of his speech to the hostages, urging their release and warning Hamas of the consequences of not complying. He stated, ‘Free the hostages now! If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down,’ highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Abbas’s remarks the day before were met with extended applause, drawing attention to the differing perceptions of the situation in Gaza. In his virtual address, Abbas accused Israel of ‘genocide’ and expressed readiness to take over security and governance in the enclave, while also seeking support from former U.S. President Donald Trump for peace efforts. His speech resonated with many UN delegates, but he was unable to attend the conference in person due to visa issues, as the State Department denied his request citing support for terrorism.