Diplomatic cold shoulders greeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly. Before he could even speak, many national delegations got up and left the room. Their walkout on September 26, 2025, showed growing anger over the ongoing war in Gaza.
Despite this clear snub, Mr. Netanyahu stood firm. He told the UN body that Israel would finish its job. This meant completely wiping out Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This resolve came even as accusations of war crimes continued to mount against his country.
Meanwhile, a different message came from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He could not attend the meeting in New York in person. The United States had denied him a visa. Instead, he sent a video speech. In it, he urged the world to help Palestinians. He called for them to finally establish their own long-awaited independent state.
In an unusual move, Mr. Netanyahu’s speech wasn’t just heard inside the UN hall. It was also broadcast live through loudspeakers near the Gaza border. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office called this “public diplomacy.” They said it aimed to put more pressure on the Hamas group.
Looking ahead, Mr. Netanyahu has a meeting planned with former U.S. President Donald Trump next Monday. Mr. Trump has made his position clear. He will not allow Israel to take over the West Bank. This comes after he recently revealed a peace plan with Arab leaders.