Netanyahu Uses UN Speech To Warn Iran And Hezbollah Of Israel’s ‘Long Arm’

Israel is “fighting for its life,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly Friday, that showed his intention to press on with a military campaign against Hezbollah and Hamas despite growing international pressure for a ceasefire with both groups.

“We face savage enemies who seek our annihilation,” Netanyahu said, issuing stark warnings to Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah that Israel would continue fighting Tehran and its proxies for as long as they remain a threat.

“I have a message for the tyrants of Tehran: If you strike us, we will strike you,” Netanyahu declared. “There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach, and that’s true of the entire Middle East.”

He reiterated his position that the war in Gaza would only end with the elimination of Hamas, which he said would have no role in post-war Gaza.

A day after Israel rejected a US-backed call for a ceasefire with Hezbollah, Netanyahu did not mention the plan but vowed to defeat the group, dimming allies’ hopes of preventing an all-out war in the region.

“Israel has been tolerating this intolerable situation for nearly a year,” he said. “Well, I’ve come here today to say enough is enough.” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu said he is committed to “a historic peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia,” vowing to do “everything in my power to make it happen.”

Many UN delegates left the chamber in protest as Netanyahu began to speak, and the UN chair had to repeatedly call for order in the chamber. Netanyahu, who famously hates the United Nations, repeatedly attacked the UN General Assembly, referring to it as an “anti-semitic swamp.”