🔥 Dramatic scenes unfolded at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech – dozens of delegates walked out in protest!
Netanyahu's address took a hard line on recent recognitions of the State of Palestine by Western nations like France, Britain, Portugal, Australia and Canada. He warned that these moves send a clear message to the Palestinians that "murdering Jews pays off."
But the reaction was split: some delegates booed, others clapped, and scores staged a mass exit from the hall. The walkouts echoed the deep divide over the two-state solution, now backed by over 150 UN member states.
In a fiery pitch, Netanyahu accused the Palestinians of never supporting a genuine two-state deal: "They don't want a state next to Israel. They want a Palestinian state instead of Israel." He blamed the conflict's century-long stalemate on "the persistent Palestinian rejection of a Jewish state in any boundary."
Meanwhile, via video link, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reminded the world that the Palestinian Authority recognized Israel's right to exist back in 1988 and again in 1993. He spoke of nearly two years of "genocide, destruction, starvation and displacement" in Gaza, saying more than 220,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured.
Abbas condemned the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, stressing it "does not represent the Palestinian people." He thanked the countries recognizing Palestinian statehood and supporters worldwide, urging everyone to separate solidarity with Palestine from antisemitism. 🤝
Earlier this month, the UNGA adopted a draft resolution endorsing the New York Declaration on a peaceful two-state solution, aiming to map out a clear path toward lasting peace in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
