Netanyahu expected to speak at UN as pressure on Gaza grows

2025-09-26 12:32:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu will speak at the United Nations today after a number of Western countries formally recognized Palestinian statehood, adding to growing pressure on the leader to end the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu's annual speech will face increased scrutiny this year after France, Belgium, Portugal, the United Kingdom and others announced their recognition of a Palestinian state - supporting the two-state solution that Netanyahu has called unfeasible.

Separately, the European Union issued a package of proposals aimed at sanctioning Israel for its ongoing offensive in Gaza and actions in the West Bank.
The Israeli leader also faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, which has indicted Netanyahu for crimes against humanity. The UN's highest court is also considering South Africa's claim that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
But despite the criticism, Netanyahu said he would condemn those leaders who, instead of punishing murderers, rapists and child arsonists, want to give them a state in the heart of Israel.

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Many countries officially recognized Palestinian statehood at a special meeting of senior leaders in New York this week. This included several Western countries, such as France and the United Kingdom, which have historically refused to officially recognize a Palestinian state since the state of Israel declared its independence in 1948.
Netanyahu has criticized the effort, as well as the idea that a two-state solution would be a sustainable path to long-term peace in the region.
“I have a clear message to those leaders who recognize a Palestinian state: This will not happen. There will be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan,” he said, after the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal made the announcement.
The United States, which does not recognize Palestine as a state, has so far given Israel strong support. However, on Thursday, US President Donald Trump signaled that there were limits, telling reporters in Washington that he would not allow Israel to annex the occupied West Bank.

Israel has not officially announced such a move, although members of Netanyahu's cabinet are pushing for it. Officials recently approved a controversial settlement bill that would effectively divide the West Bank in two.
Netanyahu's speech was preceded on Thursday by Palestinian Authority (PA) leader and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who addressed the leaders via video link after being denied a US visa to attend the session.