Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will publicly denounce leaders of countries that recently recognised Palestinian statehood when he addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday.
Speaking at Ben Gurion Airport before flying to the US, Netanyahu accused world leaders of «rewarding murderers» by extending recognition to Palestine.
«At the UN, I will tell our truth – the truth of Israel’s citizens, the truth of our soldiers,» he said. «I will condemn those leaders who, instead of condemning the murderers, rapists and burners of children, want to give them a state in the heart of Israel. This will not happen.»
His comments come after the UK, France, Canada and several European nations formally recognised Palestinian statehood earlier this week in what they described as a push to revive hopes for a two-state solution.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the recognition «a pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future,» while condemning the «starvation and devastation» in famine-hit Gaza as «utterly intolerable.»
Netanyahu is also expected to meet US President Donald Trump during his UN visit. He said talks would focus on Israel’s «war objectives»: securing the release of hostages, defeating Hamas, and expanding regional peace agreements following what he described as Israel’s «historic victory» in recent military operations.
Meanwhile, fighting in Gaza continues. On Thursday, Palestinian health officials reported that at least 17 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes, including eight children. Attacks struck tents and homes in Zawaida and Deir al-Balah, while four people were reported killed in Khan Younis.
The conflict, which began nearly two years ago following Hamas’s October 7 assault that left 1,200 people dead in Israel and 251 taken hostage, has since claimed the lives of more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
