Middle East: Netanyahu defends war and condemns critics

In a speech accompanied by protest, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his internationally controversial warfare in the Gaza Strip and sharply attacked critics. He rejected allegations of the genocide and a hunger war against the Palestinians: “Would a country who commits genocide to ask the supposedly attacked civilian population to move out of the danger zone?” Asked Netanyahu rhetorically at the UN Generalbate in New York.

In contrast, the Islamist Hamas, which is responsible for the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023 on Israel, get a license. “What a joke,” he scolded. In addition, Israel tries to avoid any damage to uninvolved people: “For Israel, every civilian victim is a tragedy. This is a strategy for Hamas”.

Recognition of Palestine “will be a shame for all of them”

He turned to a number of western states with sharp words that had recognized a state of Palestine in the past few days in response to the Israeli approach in the Gaza Strip. Among other things, France, Great Britain, Canada and Australia have sent a clear message, Netanyahu said: “Jews to murder, pay off.”

Netanyahu condemned the states: “They did something wrong, terribly wrong. Your shameful decision will promote terrorism against Jews and against innocent people all over the world. It will be a shame for all of you.”

Meanwhile, Israel has admitted enough food and emergency aid in the coastal strips with two million inhabitants: “If there is not enough to eat in Gaza, it is because Hamas steals it”. International organizations and the United Nations have explained a famine for parts of the Gaza Strip and repeatedly blamed Israel’s abrasuration of the area for the lack of food.

Protest and interjection and applause

At the beginning of the speech, dozens of diplomats in protest had left the meeting room on the East River. Netanyahu, who looked at the podium with a stoic look, spoke in front of some empty ranks. During the speech, there were occasional interjections, but also demonstrative applause, obviously from supporters of the Prime Minister in the grandstand.

The Israeli newspaper “Haaretz” reported that one of the interjections came from the father of an Israeli hostage in the Gaza Strip. Among other things, he called “My son is in Gaza”.

Netanyahu’s warfare with tens of thousands of civilians killed in Gaza is sharply criticized internationally with a few exceptions. Previously, the Islamist Hamas had triggered the war on October 7, 2023 by a devastating terrorist attack with more than 1,000 deaths.

After initially great support, the support for the Netanyahu government has given way to many partners. This complained Netanyahu: “Certainly, in the days immediately after October 7th, many of them supported Israel, but this support quickly evaporated when Israel did what every nation would do with self -esteem after such a brutal attack: we resisted.”

Does Trump’s new peace plan have a chance?

Netanyahus before the UN General Assembly was also expected against the background of a new dynamic for peace in Middle East. Netanyahu did not react directly to a new peace plan of US President Donald Trump, which is given by diplomats opportunities for real progress and an end to the Gaza war. Trump himself gave hope on Friday: “I think we may have an agreement with Gaza,” he said.

Trump had presented the 21-point plan in New York Arab state and government heads. According to the US media, the advance includes demands for permanent ceasefire, the release of the hostages and a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip and a proposal for a government of the coastal area without the participation of Islamist Hamas.

Netanyahu only wants to decide on Annexion after Trump meeting

Among other things, the Arab states require Israel’s waiver of the feared annexation of parts of the West Bank or the Gaza Strip – Trump seemed to follow this with a statement on Thursday: “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank,” he said.

According to media reports, the Israeli head of government had announced that it was only after his meeting with Trump in Washington, planned for Monday, a final decision to incorporate Palestinian areas. This is requested by ultra -right coalition partners of the Prime Minister. In his speech at the Generalbatte, Netanyahu did not speak of an official incorporation of the Palestinian areas.

Words directly to the hostages in Gaza

Israel’s Prime Minister addressed words directly to the hostages captured in the Gaza Strip. He therefore had large loudspeakers attached around the Gaza strip, which were connected to his microphone in the hope that the kidnapped heard him, he described in New York. And then said: “We didn’t forget them, not a second. The Israeli people stand behind them. We will not hesitate and not rest until we have brought them all home.”

As in the past speeches before the general assembly, Netanyahu brought several accessories to his speech. With the help of posters, he only illustrated the course of struggles against proiran groups in the region, then he used more for a kind of mini quiz in which he showed questions with several answer options. With a pen, he then made a hook behind the selection “all above”, such as: both Iran and the Hamas, the Hisbollah, the Huthi and Al Qaeda hated both Israel and the USA and Europe. “Our enemies all hate us with the same poison.”

In his speech, Netanyahu also referred to Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The latter said the truth when he said after the Israeli attack on Iran that Israel was doing “the dirty work for all of us”. The Israeli Prime Minister Trump also praised, among other things, for his military action against Iran and his fight against anti-Semitism in the United States.