Encircled by critics and protesters at the United Nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told fellow world leaders on Friday that his country "must finish the job" against Hamas in Gaza, giving a defiant speech despite growing international isolation over his refusal to end the devastating war.
"Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure," he said. "And I guarantee you one thing: Israel won't."
He spoke after dozens of delegates from multiple nations walked out of the UN hall en masse on Friday as Netanyahu took to the podium.
As the Israeli leader spoke, unintelligible shouts echoed around the hall. The U.S. delegation, which has backed Netanyahu in his campaign against Hamas, stayed put.
The few world powers in attendance, the United States and the United Kingdom, did not send their most senior officials or even their UN ambassador to their section. Instead, it was filled out with more junior, low-level diplomats.
Netanyahu faces international isolation, accusations of war crimes and growing pressure to end a conflict he has continued to escalate. Friday's speech was his chance to push back on the international community's biggest platform.
