Netanyahu delivers unapologetic U.N. speech
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Netanyahu, Gaza and Hostages
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Demonstrators gathered early on Friday in Times Square before making their way across town to the United Nations building.
Delegates from dozens of United Nations countries walked out of the General Assembly Hall on Friday before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his annual address.
Defending his country’s military actions, Israel’s prime minister rejected the idea of a Palestinian state and demanded the release of hostages still held by Hamas. He sought to speak to them directly through loudspeakers broadcasting his speech into Gaza.
"At the UN General Assembly, I will speak our truth," the Israeli prime minister vowed before boarding his flight to New York.
During his speech to the U.N., Israel’s prime minister sought to focus attention on the carnage of the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel that led to the war in Gaza.
During his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu sharply criticized the countries who had formally recognized the state of Palestine, saying the action could help encourage "terrorism against Jews.