Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took center stage at the United Nations on September 26, 2025, delivering a fiery denunciation of Western nations that have recently recognized Palestinian statehood. In a moment that underscored the deepening global rifts over the war in Gaza, Netanyahu declared that such recognition sends a dangerous message to the world: "Murdering Jews pays off." His remarks, delivered to a sharply divided audience, came as Israel faces mounting international isolation and the Gaza conflict continues to exact a devastating toll.
According to The Economic Times, Netanyahu did not mince words as he addressed the assembly. "This week, the leaders of France, Britain, Australia, Canada and other countries unconditionally recognized a Palestinian state," he said. "They did so after the horrors committed by Hamas on October 7 -- horrors praised on that day by nearly 90% of the Palestinian population." For Netanyahu, these recognitions represented not just a diplomatic setback but a "mark of shame" for the international community. "You know what message the leaders who recognize the Palestinian state this week sent to the Palestinians? It's a very clear message: murdering Jews pays off," he asserted.
Netanyahu's speech followed a tumultuous year since the October 7, 2023, attack, when Hamas-led fighters killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's military response has been overwhelming, with local health officials in Gaza reporting more than 65,000 deaths and much of the territory reduced to rubble. These numbers have become flashpoints in the debate over Israel's conduct and the international community's response.
The atmosphere inside the UN hall was tense and polarized. As Netanyahu approached the podium, scores of delegates walked out in protest, while others in the balcony offered a standing ovation. Outside, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters blocked traffic near Times Square, making their voices heard far beyond the walls of the UN. The scene captured the global divide: frustration with Israel's ongoing military campaign, anger at perceived Western inaction, and exasperation at the lack of a clear path to peace.
Behind the public drama, diplomatic maneuvering continued. Netanyahu claimed that, "Behind closed doors, many of the leaders who publicly condemn us privately thank us. They tell me how much they value Israel's superb intelligence services that have prevented, time and again, terrorist attacks in their capitals." Yet, the public shift was unmistakable. Countries such as Australia, Britain, Canada, and France, long considered reliable Western allies, have now embraced Palestinian statehood in the hope of preserving the prospect for a two-state solution and bringing the war to a close.
The Israeli leader took the stage after a series of Arab and Muslim leaders, who one by one condemned Israel's military assault in Gaza. Ireland's Prime Minister Micheal Martin, whose country recognized Palestine last year, called Israel's actions "an abandonment of all norms, all international rules and law." The International Criminal Court has even issued a warrant for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in the Gaza war, though Israel rejects the court's jurisdiction and denies the accusations.
Netanyahu, for his part, rebutted what he called "the false charge of genocide." He used his time at the podium to address the hostages still held in Gaza. Speaking in Hebrew, he promised, "We've not forgotten you -- not even for a second." In a dramatic gesture, Netanyahu revealed that loudspeakers had been placed at the Israeli side of the Gaza border to broadcast his address into the Palestinian enclave, hoping the hostages might hear his vow that the government would not rest until they are free.
The hostages remain a focal point in the ongoing crisis. Hamas has offered to release the approximately 20 remaining hostages—out of an original 48—if Israel agrees to end the war and withdraw from Gaza. The offer, however, has yet to break the months-long impasse in negotiations. Netanyahu is under increasing pressure from the families of the hostages and a war-weary Israeli public, as reflected in recent opinion polls.
Adding to the diplomatic complexity, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on September 26, 2025, that a deal to end the war and bring the remaining hostages home was "close," though he provided no details to back up his optimism. Netanyahu had spoken with Trump by phone the previous day and was scheduled to visit the White House on September 29, 2025. The relationship between the two leaders remains central to Israel's strategy, especially as Trump continues to offer staunch support for Israel and its military campaign.
Yet, even Trump has drawn a line in the sand. On September 25, 2025, he told reporters, "It's not going to happen"—referring to the possibility of Israel annexing the West Bank, a move advocated by some of Netanyahu's hardline ministers in response to growing recognition of Palestinian statehood. Trump's remarks followed discussions with multiple Arab leaders, who expressed alarm at the prospect. Analysts warn that Israeli annexation of the West Bank could unravel the Abraham Accords, the landmark agreement brokered during Trump's first term that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab countries.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian perspective was delivered by President Mahmoud Abbas. Speaking by video after being denied a U.S. visa, Abbas condemned Israel's actions in Gaza as "a war of genocide" and expressed gratitude to the countries that have recognized Palestinian statehood. He also pledged that the Palestinian Authority would be ready to govern post-war Gaza and called for Hamas to be disarmed and excluded from any future government.
Amid these shifting alliances, a new player has emerged on the global stage: Argentine President Javier Milei. On September 27, 2025, Milei was seen warmly embracing Netanyahu at the UN, a gesture that stood out as many Western leaders distanced themselves from Israel. Milei has gone further than most, publicly waving the Israeli flag on campaign trails, promising to move Argentina's embassy to Jerusalem, and launching the "Isaac Accords" to strengthen Israel–Latin America ties. He's also pushing for defense deals with Israeli firms to modernize Argentina's military.
Milei's alignment with Israel is not just about foreign policy. As reported by Grey Zone, it's deeply intertwined with his domestic political strategy, ideology, and upcoming elections. The optics of his embrace with Netanyahu have raised questions about whether Argentina is becoming a frontline ally in Netanyahu's embattled global image—and what role Trump plays in this emerging right-wing triangle. The partnership among Milei, Netanyahu, and Trump signals a new axis of cooperation, with potential implications for global diplomacy and regional stability.
As the dust settles from this latest round of speeches and protests, the future of the Israel-Palestinian conflict remains as uncertain as ever. The growing recognition of Palestinian statehood, the unyielding Israeli military campaign, and the emergence of new international alliances all point to a world in flux. For now, the only certainty is that the debate over peace, justice, and statehood will continue to play out on the world stage, with lives and futures hanging in the balance.