“It’s insane, and we won’t do it.” With these words, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a forceful and unequivocal rejection of the two-state solution at the United Nations. His declaration came days after major Western powers joined the 157 nations that recognize a Palestinian state.
The speech prompted an immediate and dramatic response, as representatives from over 50 countries walked out of the General Assembly. The protest left Netanyahu addressing a chamber with vast swaths of empty seats, a powerful visual of his government’s alienation.
Netanyahu doubled down on his military strategy, promising to press on with the offensive in Gaza to eliminate Hamas. He ignored international pressure for a ceasefire, stating that Israel “must finish the job” to ensure its security against future attacks.
The Israeli leader also issued a stark warning to Hamas leaders, demanding they surrender and free all 48 hostages or face death. The entire performance, including the use of a QR code to show attack footage, was a showcase of defiance in the face of near-universal diplomatic opposition.
‘We Won’t Do It’: Netanyahu’s Forceful Rejection of Two-State Solution at UN
