Protest against Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly: Turkish delegation leaves the hall

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the 79th United Nations (UN) General Assembly held in New York, USA. The Turkish delegation and many other delegations protested Netanyahu's address to the Assembly by leaving the hall. Among these delegations was Iran, which Netanyahu targeted in his speech. 

Netanyahu entered the hall to address the UN General Assembly and headed to the podium. Led by Turkey's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız, the Turkish delegation left the hall before Netanyahu began his UN General Assembly address. It was observed that many delegations joined the Turkish delegation and the hall was significantly emptied. Some voices were also heard rising from the hall while Netanyahu was at the podium.

'ISRAEL WANTS PEACE'

According to the Reuters news agency, while protests were also held in New York before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech, Netanyahu argued that his country, which has been continuing its attacks on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, is 'fighting for its life,' said he had no intention of coming to the UN General Assembly but came to the Assembly to correct possible misunderstandings, and claimed that his country 'wants peace'. 

Netanyahu spoke as follows: "My country is at war; it is fighting for its life... We must defend ourselves against these savage murderers. Our enemies seek to destroy us; they seek to destroy our common civilization and return us all to a dark age of tyranny and terror."

'THERE IS NO PLACE BEYOND ISRAEL'S REACH'

Touching upon Iran in his speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that Israel 'has had to defend itself on war fronts organized by Iran,' and addressing Iran, he said, "If you strike us, we will strike you." Netanyahu also argued that 'there is no place in Iran that Israel cannot reach'.

Claiming that "There is no place in Iran that Israel's long arm cannot reach. This is also true for the entire Middle East," Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "I have one more message for this assembly and for the world outside this hall: We are winning." 

'THE WAR CAN END IF HAMAS SURRENDERS AND LAYS DOWN ITS ARMS'

Stating that Israel will do everything in its power to ensure Iran does not have nuclear weapons, the Israeli Prime Minister claimed that 'if Hamas remains in power in Gaza, it will reorganize, rearm, and attack Israel again.' Saying that they are 'ready to support a local civilian administration committed to peaceful coexistence' in Gaza, Netanyahu said, "The war can end if Hamas surrenders, lays down its arms, and releases the hostages." 

In his speech, touching upon the attacks Israel has carried out on Lebanon over the last week and Hezbollah, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu pointed to the Israelis evacuated from northern Israel due to mutual attacks and said, "We will not stop until our citizens can safely return to their homes; we will not allow a terror army to be stationed on our northern border." Saying "Enough is enough" in reference to Hezbollah, Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has no other choice."

News Source: 12punto