UNGA – Israeli PM Sends A Defiant Message, Denouncing Pressure For A Palestinian State

Jerusalem, 26 September, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Rejecting the idea of a Palestinian state outright and vowing to finish the war, unless Hamas lays down its arms and frees the hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly in New York today.

Netanyahu also criticized world leaders, saying that many countries that publicly criticise Israel, privately express their gratitude for Israel’s actions against Hamas.

The PM opened his speech by listing Israel’s recent achievements in the Middle East. Holding up a map, he referred to the elimination of the Houthi leadership, the devastation of Hamas and Hezbollah, the overthrow of the Assad regime, and the setbacks inflicted on Iran.

He also called on Lebanon to start a dialogue with Israel immediately, urging all states in the region to cooperate. Netanyahu also clarified that Isreal will not abandon the Druze, calling them “brothers in arms”

Commenting on the hostage issue, Benjamin Netanyahu explained that his message is being broadcast via loudspeakers throughout Gaza and sent to all residents’ mobile phones. “I have surrounded Gaza with loudspeakers in the hope that the hostages will hear my message”, he said.

Addressing the hostages, first in Hebrew and then in English the PM said: “Dear heroic brothers, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is speaking to you. I am addressing you from the UN podium. We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The entire nation is with you. We will not rest until we bring you all back, whether you are alive or dead.’

Netanyahu read out the names of the twenty hostages who are still alive and called on Hamas: ‘Lay down your weapons. Let my people go. Release all 48 hostages now. If you do this, you will be allowed to live. If not, Israel will hunt you down.”

‘If Hamas agrees to our terms, the war can end immediately,’ he stressed. ‘Gaza will be demilitarised, Israel will take control of security, and a political authority will be established by Gaza’s residents and others who are committed to making peace with Israel.’

The Prime Minister, categorically rejected the idea of a Palestinian state, claiming that Palestinians do not want peace. He emphasised that every time peace has been offered to them, they have rejected it, stating that the Palestinians simply want the destruction of Israel. He also accused the Palestinian Authority of using the same textbooks as Hamas, which teach children that they are destined to kill Jews.

He focused particularly on the issue of payments by the Palestinian Authority to terrorists. ‘The more people they kill,’ he said, ‘the more they get,’ noting that the PA names squares and buildings after terrorists and calls them martyrs.

He also pointed out that this attitude affects not only Jews, but Christians as well, citing Bethlehem as an example. He explained that while it was under Israeli control, 80% of the population was Christian, but after the Palestinian Authority took control, the Christian population decreased to less than 20%. Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that the rejection of a Palestinian state is not his own policy, but that of 90% of Israelis — a figure recently confirmed by a Knesset vote on the issue. ‘

“Giving the Palestinians a state one mile from Jerusalem after October 7,” he says, “is like giving Al Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11. This is sheer madness. It’s insane, and we won’t do it.”

Every time we hear that things will be different,’ said the Israeli Prime Minister, without anything changing. Gaza had essentially acquired a state, he pointed. He then wondered what the Palestinians did with it.

‘After October 7, many leaders supported Israel,’ Netanyahu recalled. ‘But that support disappeared when Israel did what any self-respecting country would do and fought back. I’m sorry to say this, but leaders are once again giving in to biased reporting, Muslim voters and anti-Semitic mobs.”

He added: ‘It is shocking that when we fight the terrorists who murdered your citizens, you fight against us and impose sanctions on us. I tell the representatives of these countries that this is not an accusation against Israel. It is an accusation against you. It is an accusation against weak leaders.’

Before closing, the Prime Minister said: ‘The atrocities committed on 7 October have happened many times in the history of my people. Jewish blood was cheap; Jews were murdered with impunity. The establishment of the State of Israel does not mean that the attempts to exterminate us have ceased, but rather that we can resist — and we have been doing so ever since. Our sons and daughters fought like lions. On 7 October, Israel’s enemies tried to extinguish the light, but two years later, Israel’s determination and strength shine even brighter. With God’s help, our strength will lead us to a swift victory and a future of prosperity and peace.’