Netanyahu Says Israel's Critics 'Caved' to Pressure on Gaza War

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel struck a defiant tone at the United Nations on Friday, lashing out at countries that recognized a Palestinian state this week amid a crescendo of international criticism over the country's conduct in the war in the Gaza Strip.

 

Netanyahu, who has consistently pushed for tougher military action in the enclave, including a continuing operation to take over the key population center of Gaza City, accused his critics of turning against Israel under pressure from their domestic populations, rising antisemitism and a biased media.

 

"When the going got tough, you caved," he said in a speech to delegates at the U.N. General Assembly. "Instead of fighting the terrorists who murdered many of your citizens, you are fighting us."

 

Just before the speech began, a mass of delegates exited from the room. As a result, Netanyahu spoke to an almost empty assembly hall. Netanyahu said he ordered that loudspeaker trucks be deployed to Gaza, so that hostages could hear him as he called for them to be freed.

 

The Israeli prime minister is set to meet Monday with President Trump. The U.S. has been Israel's strongest source of support, particularly under Trump, but the president has been pushing Israel and Hamas to accept a cease-fire plan and has recently shown frustration with Netanyahu, including over Israel's strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, a U.S. ally. Tru

 

"President Trump will almost certainly have to use Monday's session with Netanyahu to cajole his acceptance of the plan," said Jonathan Panikoff, a former senior U.S. intelligence official who worked on Middle East issues and is now at the Atlantic Council think tank. An agreement by Israel and by Hamas "is far from assured," he added.

 

In a social-media post late Friday, Trump said the talks on halting the fighting "will continue for as long as necessary in order to get a Successfully Completed Agreement. All of the Countries within the Region are involved, Hamas is very much aware of these discussions, and Israel has been informed at all levels."

 

On Thursday, the president applied rare U.S. public pressure on Israel, saying he would block it from annexing the West Bank. Such a move by Israel could undermine the Trump's signature Abraham Accords.

 

The debate around Israel and the war dominated the annual U.N. General Assembly this week. A number of Western countries that came to Israel's side after the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that sparked the war have turned more critical, frustrated by the civilian toll of the war and Netanyahu's unwillingness to wind it down unless Hamas capitulates.

 

The governments of France, the U.K., Canada and Australia said this week they would recognize a Palestinian state, an expression of frustration with the fighting and an effort to keep the idea of side-by-side states alive.

 

Netanyahu said that would reward terrorists and undermine Israel's security.

 

"Israel will not allow you to shove a terror state down our throats," he said. "We will not commit national suicide because you don't have the guts to face down a hostile media and antisemitic mobs demanding Israel's blood."

 

While the speech highlighted the prime minister's anger, it also underscored Israel's deepening isolation as more of Gaza lies in ruins and deaths there surpass 65,000, according to Palestinian health authorities, who don't say how many were combatants.

 

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the prime minister's speech as gimmicky and lacking ideas about how to end the war. He said Netanyahu might have worsened the "diplomatic tsunami" facing Israel.

 

Earlier this month, a U.N. commission concluded Israel was committing genocide in the enclave. Israel strenuously denies the charge, saying its goal is to defeat Hamas

 

The prime minister lashed back at that charge as well, saying Israel has worked to move civilians out of Gaza City before attacking and has facilitated the entry of food into the enclave.

 

"What a joke," Netanyahu said of the genocide allegations.

 

Those who have alleged genocide point to the high numbers of civilian deaths, including children; the devastation of the enclave; mass displacements of the population; and persistent food shortages.

 

Israel cut off humanitarian supplies for nearly three months this spring, and aid groups said food supplies since then haven't been nearly enough and have been snarled by a patchwork of restrictions and security concerns. International food-security experts said a month ago that famine had taken hold around Gaza City. Israel has eased some restrictions, including allowing in commercial supplies.

 

As international pressure on Israel has increased, Netanyahu has taken an increasingly defiant tone. He stunned Israeli markets and sent shudders through his citizenry when he suggested earlier this month that the country should lean into its growing international isolation and become the Middle East's "super-Sparta," referring to the militaristic city-state of ancient Greece.

 

Many in Israel see international isolation as dangerous to the country's security and economy.

 

Netanyahu said at a news conference a day later that he had been referring to the defense industry and that Israel's economy would continue to be open to the world.

 

As many as 20 living hostages are believed to be in Gaza, along with the bodies of nearly 30 others. Hostage families protested outside the U.N. headquarters during Netanyahu's speech, calling for negotiations to end the war and bring back their relatives. Many argue he is prolonging the war for political gain, a charge he has vehemently denied.

 

Ilana Gritzewsky, who was taken hostage in the Oct. 7 attacks and released after more than 50 days in Hamas captivity, was among about two dozen people protesting outside the U.N. headquarters.

 

"You looked me in the eyes, you said in your own voice you would bring everyone back," Gritzewsky, whose partner, Matan Zangauker, is still held by Hamas, said, addressing Netanyahu. "You lied to us."

 

Netanyahu's speech was well received by far-right members of his government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who have pushed a tough line in the war and for annexation of the West Bank, both lauded Netanyahu for standing firm in the face of criticism.” [1]

 

1. Netanyahu Says Israel's Critics 'Caved' to Pressure on Gaza War. Peled, Anat; Solomon, Feliz.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 27 Sep 2025: A1.