Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday forcefully rejected accusations of genocide and the use of starvation as a war tactic in Gaza, during his speech at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Netanyahu, speaking at UN headquarters in New York City, labeled the allegations as “blood libels,” likening them to anti-Semitic myths from the Middle Ages.
“Those who peddle the blood libels of genocide against Israel are no better than those who peddled the blood libels against Jews in the Middle Ages,” he declared.
Israel ‘Feeding Gaza,’ Not Starving It – Netanyahu
Countering growing international criticism, Netanyahu insisted that Israel is providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, even as military operations continue in the wake of the October 2024 conflict with Hamas.
He claimed that Israel was taking steps to ensure civilians receive food and medical supplies, despite the extensive damage and ongoing blockade in the Palestinian territory.
Netanyahu: ‘We Crushed Hamas’s Terror Machine’
The Israeli leader also announced that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have “crushed the bulk of Hamas’s terror machine,” vowing to complete military operations “as fast as possible.”
“We are not fighting the Palestinian people. We are fighting a terrorist organization that uses them as human shields,” he said.
Netanyahu also listed a series of what he called Israeli strategic victories over the past year, including disruption of Iran’s nuclear program and the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon
These claims, particularly about Nasrallah, have yet to be independently confirmed and are expected to draw sharp responses from Iran and Hezbollah.
Walkouts and Cheers Mark Controversial UNGA Speech
Netanyahu’s address was met with mixed reactions. As he took the podium to deliver the first speech of the day, multiple country delegations walked out of the General Assembly in protest.
However, the Israeli Prime Minister also received cheers from supporters, some of whom had been invited to attend his speech inside the hall.
UN officials had to call the General Assembly to order as protests and cheers briefly disrupted the start of the address.
