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Photo: Reuters
Mahmoud Abbas speaking to the UN in 2015
Photo: Reuters

Watch Live: Netanyahu addresses the UN General Assembly

PM Benjamin Netanyahu is speaking live at the UN; the theme of the general debate of the 71st session is 'The Sustainable Development Goals: a universal push to transform our world.' Stay tuned to Ynetnews for constant updates.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is taking to the podium at the UN General Assembly in Turtle Bay, New York.

 

Watch: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu live at the UNGA
 
The Prime Minister started his speech by saying that "Israel has a bright future at the UN."
 
He noted that the UN passed 20 resolutions against Israel, and three against "the rest of the countries on the planet."
 
Netayahu also condemned the fact that "as women are being systematically raped murdered, sold into slavery across the world, which is the only country that the Un's commission on women has condemned? Yup. You guessed it. Israel."
 
He also condemned the UN, specifically UNESCO, for denying the Jewish connection between Jews and the Western Wall. "denied the 4000 year old connection between the jewish people and its holiest site. "That's just as absurd as denying the connection between the Great Wall of China and China," he said.
 
PM Netanyahu at the UN (Photo: AP)
PM Netanyahu at the UN (Photo: AP)
 
"The UN has gone from being a moral force to a moral farce."
 
"You see," he continued, "everything will change, and a lot sooner than you think. The change will happen in this hall because back home, your governments are rapidly changing their attitudes towards Israel, and sooner or later that's going to change how you vote on Israel in the UN."
 
He then noted security ties between Israel and other countries, and how governments around the world are changing their attitudes towards the Jewish state. "Many of your governments seek our help in keeping your countries safe," he said.
 
He spoke about Israel's aid and cooperation in the fields of water and technology, and went on to speak about his recent trip to strengthen relations with Africa.
 
"Govts are changing their attitudes towards Israel because they know that Israel can help them protect their people, feed them, provide them with better lives," he continued.
 
“Later today," Netanyahu continued, "I'll be meeting with the leaders from 17 African countries. We'll discuss how Israel can help them in transforming their countries. In africa, things are changing. In India, Russia, China , Japan, attitudes towards Israel have changed as well. Despite israel's small size, it can make a big difference.”

 

He touched quickly on relations with the Arab world, noting that countries which used to be bitter enemies of he Jewish state are now willing to work with Israel against mutual threats.

 

"But in this revolution, we never forget that our most cherished alliance is with the United States of America, the most powerful and generous nation on Earth," Netanyahu said to rapturous applause from the US delegation.

 

Netanyahu predicts that the days where UN ambassadors reflexively condemn Israel are coming to an end. He calls on the UN to "lay down its arms" against the Jewish state. "Perhaps some of you don't know it yet," he continued, "but I'm confident that one day, in the not-too-distant future, that you'll get the message from your president or prime minister."

 

"Yes, I know. There might be a storm before the calm," he said "I know there's talk about ganging up against Israel at the UN later this year."

 

"Does anybody really believe that Israel will let the UN determine our security? We will not accept any attempt by the UN to dictate terms to Israel," he said. He then said regarding a peace process that "the road to peace runs through Jerusalem and Ramallah, not through New York."

 

He then said, "I have so much confidence, in fact, that I predict a decade from now, an Israeli prime minister will stand here, where I'm standing, and applaud the UN. But I ask, why do we have to wait a decade? Why do we have to keep vilifying Israel?"

 

 

Netanyahu speaks at the UNGA (Photo: AFP) (Photo: AFP)
Netanyahu speaks at the UNGA (Photo: AFP)

 

Attacking Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's call to sue the British government over the Balfour Declaration, Netanyahu asked "why not bring a class action suit against Abrahamas well?"

 

"Yet today, nearly 70 years later, the Palestinians still refuse to recognize those rights," he continued. "Not our rights to a homeland, not our right to a state, not our right to anything. This remains the source of the conflict: the Palestinian refusal to accept a Jewish state in ANY boundaries."

 

"When we withdrew from every inch of Gaza, we didn't get peace from Gaza. We got thousands of rockets fired at us."

 

"The real settlements they're after," he stressed, "are Haifa, Jaffa, and Tel Aviv."

 

However, Netanyahu stil said that "The state of Israel is ready. I am ready to negotiate final-status issues."

 

"When the Palestinians say 'yes' to a Jewish state, we'll be able to end the conflict once and for all."

 

"The Palestinians are not only trapped in the past," he said. "Their leaders are poisoning the future (of their children)."

 

Netanyahu and Ban Ki-Moon (Photo: Chaim Tzah)
Netanyahu and Ban Ki-Moon (Photo: Chaim Tzah)

 

"Imagine your child undergoing this brainwashing," Netanyahu put forth to those present. "Imagine what it takes for a young boy or girl to break free from this culture of hate?"

 

"(This is) the difference between two people (Israeils and Palestinans)," he said. "Israel jails the handful of Jewish terrorists among us, while the Palestinians pay them."

 

"I call on President Abbas. You have a choice to make. You can continue to stoke hatred, as you did today, or you can confront hatred and work with me today," Netanyahu said.

 

"I hear the buzz," he continued. "I know that many of you have given up on peace. I have not given up on peace! I remain committed to the vision of two states for two peoples."

 

The Israeli Prime Minister then called on Abbas to speak to Israelis and to him directly.

 

"President Abbas spoke here an hour ago," said Netanyahu. "President Abbas, I invite you to speak to the Israeli people at the Knesset in Jerusalem, and I would gladly speak to the Palestinian people in Ramallah."

 

"Peace has no greater enemy than the force of militant Islam," said the prime minister. "Israel fights this fateful battle against the force of militant Islam every day."

 

Netanyahu spoke about Hamas and how they relate to the militant Islam Israel faces every day.

 

"(Hamas) unbelievably cruelly refused to return three of our citizens and the bodies of Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin. Hadar's parents are here today. They have one request: to bury their beloved son in Israel. They ask for one simple thing; to be able to visit the grave of their fallen son Hadar in Israel. Hamas couldn't care less."

 

Hamas kidnapped the bodies of Goldin and Shaul during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, and have refused to hand them back for burial in Israel. This is in violation of international law.

 

To rapturous applause from the US delegation and visitors gallery, the Prime Minister of Israel said that "Israel will not allow Iran to establish nuclear weapons. Not now, not in a decade, not ever."

 

"I stand before you today at a time when Israel's former president Shimon peres is fighting for his life. Shimon is one of israel's founding fathers, one of israel's most respected leaders. I know that you will join me, the entire people of Israel, in wishing him a refuah shleima, shimon - a full recovery," he continued.

 

Speaking about the former president's optimism, and voiced his optimism and pride in Israel, that it has "soldiers who are second to none," a thriving hi-tech industry, and advancing in regards to racial equality.

 

The prime minister finished by saying "Israel wants to be your partner in seizing that future. I call on all of you: embrace Israel. Dream with Israel. A future of security, prosperity and peace. A future where even at the UN, even in this hall, where Israel will take its rightful place among the nations."

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.22.16, 18:43
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