There were protests outside the United Nations. A mass walk-out inside. Yet Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn’t fazed as he gave an impassioned speech at the UN General Assembly Hall.
1News US Correspondent Logan Church is at the United Nations ahead of Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ address, where he’s expected to announce New Zealand’s position on Palestinian Statehood.
His government said they’d also lined loudspeakers on the Israeli side of the border with Gaza to broadcast his message inside the enclave.
Wearing a badge featuring a QR code linked to information about the October 7 attacks – including graphic images and video - he vowed to “finish the job” by wiping out Hamas.
“The final remnants of Hamas are holed up in Gaza City. They vow to repeat the atrocities of 7 October again and again. That is why Israel must finish the job,” he said.
Netanyahu held up a map of the Middle East – as he has done in previous addresses – highlighting the countries of Iran, Syria, and Iraq, calling them “Iran’s terror axis”. He also thanked US President Donald Trump for his support during what the White House calls the “12-day war” with Iran and American attacks on its nuclear sites.
“This axis threatens the peace of the entire world. It threatened the stability of our region and the very existence of my country, Israel.”
On accusations of genocide and war crimes, he said they were “antisemitic lies”.
He said Israelis won’t commit “national suicide” by allowing the creation of a Palestinian state and condemned global leaders who said they would recognise such a state.
“You know what message the leaders who recognise a Palestinian state this week sent to the Palestinians? It's a very clear message. Murdering Jews pays off. The most savage terrorists on earth are effusively praising your decision,” said Netanyahu.
“You didn't do something right. You did something wrong, horribly wrong. Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere. It will be a mark of shame on all of you.”
At a special session of the UN Security Council this week, nation after nation expressed horror at the 2023 attack by Hamas militants that killed about 1200 people in Israel, saw 251 taken hostage and triggered the war. Many of the representatives went on to criticise the response by Israel and call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an influx of aid.
Israel's sweeping offensive has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians in Gaza and displaced 90% of its population, with an increasing number now starving.
Peters to outline NZ’s position on Palestinian statehood
This blistering address comes only hours before Foreign Minister Winston Peters takes to the UN podium and gives New Zealand’s address, where he’s expected to outline our Government’s position on recognising Palestinian statehood.
New Zealand has long been a proponent of a "two-state solution" as a road to permanent peace in the region.
Many nations have already recognised Palestinian statehood – that list grew to include the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Australia, amongst others, ahead of and during the United Nations Leaders Week.
Winston Peters now has New Zealand’s cabinet decision in hand (an in-principle decision was made earlier this month), after telling us in New York earlier this week a final decision would be made “at the last moment, in the closing hour or so, so we have all the information”.
“We’ve been waiting eight long years for an answer here, and waiting a few more days to find out all the facts won't be wasted,” he said on Tuesday NZT.
“All these comments require some serious analysis.”
There is a list of legal questions to be asked in the making of this decision.
Minister Peters' speech was expected to be around 11am NZT (depending on how long the previous speeches go) and will be live-streamed on the 1News website.
1News will speak to the minister in New York directly afterwards.
- Additional reporting by AP
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