On Friday, delegates attending the General Assembly (UNGA) departed en masse as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approached the podium to deliver his address.
This widespread departure occurred following several days where delegates had discussed the Gaza situation and potential solutions to conclude the conflict, which has lasted almost two years.
The reaction to Netanyahu stood in sharp contrast to the extended ovation Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas received the previous day, Thursday, when he spoke virtually to the international assembly.
Consequently, he delivered his speech to a largely vacant hall. While the precise delegations that remained in the chamber are unknown, U.S. delegates were confirmed to be in attendance.
Despite not capturing the attention of every U.N. delegate, Netanyahu disclosed during his speech that his message was reaching a considerably broader audience. He stated that his address was broadcast via speakers positioned around the Gaza Strip and simultaneously streamed to mobile phones belonging to Gazans.
The prime minister made this disclosure regarding the extensive reach of his address after delivering a message to the hostages in both Hebrew and English.
He commenced by saying, “Our brave heroes, this is Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking to you live from the United Nations. We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you. We will not falter, and we will not rest until we bring all of you home.”
Netanyahu subsequently directed his message toward those holding hostages in Gaza, including Hamas leaders, who were presumed to be listening to his speech. He called for the immediate release of the 48 remaining hostages and issued a further caution.
He stated, “Free the hostages now! If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.”
During his address on Thursday, Abbas strongly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” asserting his party’s readiness to assume responsibility for the enclave’s security and governance. Abbas sought President Donald Trump’s involvement for peace and additionally requested “full membership in the United Nations,” mentioning that numerous European countries had recognized a Palestinian state.
Abbas proclaimed, “Palestine is ours. Jerusalem is the jewel of our hearts and our eternal capital. We will not leave our homeland. We will not leave our lands.”
Abbas addressed the U.N. General Assembly remotely because the State Department declined to approve his visa for travel to New York for the conference, citing reasons of alleged support for terrorism.
Morgan Phillips of Digital contributed to this report.