In a high-stakes address that blended international defiance with domestic messaging, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, 2025—met with mass walkouts and global protests . While the world saw a leader unyielding in the face of criticism, his core audience may have been back home in Israel, where his political survival hangs in the balance .
A Speech Met With Empty Seats
As Netanyahu approached the podium as the day’s first speaker, numerous national delegations staged a coordinated walkout—a visible rebuke to Israel’s conduct in Gaza and its rejection of recent UN resolutions . By the time he began speaking, the General Assembly hall was notably sparse .
Outside the UN headquarters in New York, roughly 2,000 demonstrators gathered, chanting for sanctions and accountability . The scene underscored Israel’s deepening diplomatic isolation, especially following the General Assembly’s recent endorsement of the New York Declaration on a Two-State Solution .
Key Messages from Netanyahu’s Address
Netanyahu’s speech, titled “We Won’t Let the World Dictate Our Security,” doubled as a campaign manifesto for his right-wing base. Key themes included:
- Rejection of international pressure: “No foreign court, no biased assembly will tell Israel how to defend itself.”
- Blame on Hamas: Accused the group of using civilians as “human shields” and orchestrating the October 7 attacks.
- Warning to Iran: Framed Israel’s regional actions as a bulwark against Tehran’s “axis of terror.”
- Appeal to Israeli voters: Emphasized strength, sovereignty, and refusal to “surrender to global elites.”
Why This Was as Much for Tel Aviv as for New York
Netanyahu’s approval ratings have remained low since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, with many Israelis blaming his government for intelligence and security failures . Facing internal coalition pressures and potential no-confidence motions, his UN performance was calibrated to rally his conservative base .
Recent confrontations with Iran have temporarily unified Israel’s fractious political landscape, giving Netanyahu “political breathing room” . His defiant UN stance reinforces his image as Israel’s indispensable strongman—a narrative crucial for electoral survival.
International vs. Domestic Reactions: A Tale of Two Audiences
| Audience | Reaction | Key Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Global Diplomats | Walkouts, condemnation, calls for sanctions | Humanitarian crisis in Gaza, rejection of two-state solution |
| Israeli Right-Wing Base | Strong support on social media, rallies in Jerusalem | National security, sovereignty, resistance to foreign interference |
| Israeli Opposition | Criticism of “reckless diplomacy” | Deepening isolation, economic fallout, stalled peace efforts |
The Broader Geopolitical Context
Netanyahu’s speech comes amid mounting international legal pressure. The UN General Assembly recently requested an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on Israel’s obligations regarding its presence in Palestinian territories . Israel has “utterly rejected” such moves, calling them “anti-Semitic and politically motivated” .
Meanwhile, the U.S.—Israel’s closest ally—has grown increasingly cautious in its public support, reflecting shifting North American public opinion on the Gaza war .
What Happens Next?
For deeper insights into Israel’s foreign policy shifts, explore our analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:Israel foreign policy 2025].
For an official perspective on U.S.-Israel relations, refer to the U.S. Department of State’s Israel page.
Sources
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/27/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-united-nations.html
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-73849102
- https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-un-speech-walkout-protest-gaza-2025-09-26
- https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/israel/
- https://www.un.org/press/en/2025/ga12789.doc.htm
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-general-assembly-adopts-resolution-backing-two-state-solution-2025-09-12/
