Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a powerful speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday morning, as Israeli officials stated they were preparing for a possible ground invasion in Lebanon, and Netanyahu distanced himself from the U.S.-backed 21-day ceasefire proposal.
Netanyahu used a significant portion of his speech to warn against and threaten Iran, stating that Israel has had to defend itself on fronts where conflicts are orchestrated by Tehran. He warned Iranian leaders that Israel would retaliate, saying: "There is no place in Iran that Israel’s long arm cannot reach, and this holds true for the entire Middle East."
According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, Israel has expanded its conflict in the past week, launching attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which have led to the removal of key Hezbollah leaders and the deaths of over 600 people in Lebanon. Exchanges of fire between the Israeli Defense Forces and Hezbollah continued throughout Thursday night and into Friday.
Netanyahu also criticized the United Nations, calling it a "swamp of anti-Israel bile."
"As long as Israel, as long as the Jewish state, is not treated like other nations, as long as this swamp of anti-Israel bias is not drained, fair-minded people everywhere will continue to view the UN as a contemptible spectacle."
He also criticized the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
In his speech at the UN General Assembly, Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that Israel does not seek the death of any innocent person.
“No military is doing what Israel is doing to minimize civilian casualties: we drop leaflets, send text messages, and make millions of phone calls to protect Palestinian civilians from harm,” he said.
Netanyahu Appeals for a Peace Agreement with Saudi Arabia
Referring to the experience of the Abraham Accords, Netanyahu also stressed the need for a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia.
“I tell you, such peace with Saudi Arabia would be a great blessing – it would benefit the security and economy of both our countries, it would promote trade and tourism in the region, and it would help transform the Middle East into a global powerhouse,” he said.
“Such peace, I believe, would be a true turning point in history: it would mark the beginning of a historic reconciliation between the Arab world and Israel, between Islam and Judaism, between Mecca and Jerusalem,” the Israeli leader said.
“One of the best ways to thwart Iran’s nefarious ambitions is by achieving peace,” he added.
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