New York, 25 September (H.S.): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday with a sharp attack on Iran’s nuclear programme. Defending Israel’s military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, he said that had Israel not taken the action, “we all would have been killed.”

Netanyahu said destroying Iran’s nuclear facilities was extremely difficult, but that as prime minister, the decision was among the easiest he had ever made. He claimed that Israel had acted not only to protect its own security but also to protect countries whose representatives had walked out of the General Assembly hall during his speech.

As Netanyahu took the podium, a large number of delegates walked out of the UN General Assembly. Some representatives protested his speech, while others showed their support with applause. Netanyahu described those who left the hall as “morally cowardly.”

Netanyahu described the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack as the darkest day in Israel’s history and portrayed Israel’s subsequent military campaign as an effort to defend the country. He said Israel’s adversaries had hoped that the country would collapse, but that Israel had responded.

He referred to Israel’s military operations against Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah, while also praising US support. He highlighted the leadership of US President Donald Trump and described the Israel-US partnership as important.

Netanyahu rejected allegations that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. He called the accusations “the biggest lie of the century” and said Israel had taken measures to protect the civilian population while allowing food and vaccines to reach Gaza.

However, serious concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza have continued to be raised internationally. In his speech, Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions and criticised those who have accused the country of wrongdoing.

Netanyahu also criticised New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani has accused Netanyahu of war crimes and advocated compliance with the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Netanyahu rejected the allegations and accused Mamdani of taking a pro-Hamas position.

He also criticised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, targeting him over his criticism of Israel. Relations between the two countries have remained highly strained following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza.

Netanyahu also rejected allegations of colonialism levelled against Israel by Britain and France. He opposed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s call for Israeli troops to withdraw from the Golan Heights.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar