On Friday, September 26, 2025, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid launched a scathing critique of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In a post on the U.S.-based social media platform X, Lapid described the speech as “tired and whining,” accusing Netanyahu of relying on “tired gimmicks” instead of offering substantive solutions to Israel’s ongoing challenges. Lapid’s remarks reflect growing domestic and international frustration with Israel’s leadership as the war in Gaza approaches its third year, with devastating humanitarian consequences and no clear resolution in sight.
A Divisive Speech in a Fractured World Stage
Netanyahu’s address to the UN General Assembly was delivered to a largely empty chamber, a stark visual symbol of the international community’s disapproval. As the Israeli Prime Minister took the podium, most delegations walked out in a coordinated protest against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has been widely criticized as genocidal. The boycott underscored the deepening isolation of Israel on the global stage, as the war’s toll continues to draw condemnation from governments, human rights organizations, and international bodies.
In his speech, Netanyahu vehemently rejected accusations of genocide and starvation in Gaza, defending Israel’s actions as a necessary response to the October 2023 attack by Hamas, which killed over 1,200 Israelis and led to the capture of more than 250 hostages. He argued that Israel’s military operations were targeted solely at Hamas militants and not the civilian population. However, his remarks failed to address the mounting evidence of widespread destruction, loss of life, and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which have fueled global outrage.
Lapid, the leader of the Yesh Atid party and a former prime minister, seized on the speech’s shortcomings to highlight what he sees as Netanyahu’s failure of leadership. “The world today saw a tired and whining Israeli Prime Minister, in a speech overly laden with tired gimmicks,” Lapid wrote on X. He accused Netanyahu of squandering an opportunity to present a coherent strategy for resolving the conflict, securing the release of the remaining hostages, or ending the war. Lapid’s criticism resonates with a growing segment of the Israeli public, who are increasingly disillusioned with the government’s handling of the protracted conflict.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Growing Catastrophe
Since the war began in October 2023, the Israeli military’s relentless bombardment of Gaza has resulted in catastrophic loss of life and infrastructure. According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, with women and children making up the majority of the casualties. The enclave, home to over 2 million people before the war, has been rendered largely uninhabitable. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, critical infrastructure such as hospitals and schools has been destroyed, and access to basic necessities like food, water, and medical care has been severely restricted.
The United Nations and various humanitarian organizations have reported widespread starvation in Gaza, with famine conditions emerging in parts of the territory. The blockade imposed by Israel, combined with the destruction of agricultural land and supply routes, has led to acute food shortages. Malnutrition rates among children have skyrocketed, and diseases such as cholera and polio have spread rapidly due to the lack of clean water and sanitation facilities. The UN has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, but these pleas have largely gone unheeded.
The war has also displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, with many residents forced to flee multiple times as Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have expanded. Temporary shelters and refugee camps are overcrowded and lack adequate resources, exacerbating the suffering of civilians. The international community has struggled to provide sufficient aid, as Israel’s restrictions on border crossings have limited the flow of supplies into the enclave.
Lapid’s Critique: A Call for Accountability
In his statement, Lapid pointedly questioned why Hamas, the militant group responsible for the October 2023 attack, has not been defeated despite nearly two years of intense military operations. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted thousands of airstrikes and ground incursions, targeting Hamas’s leadership, infrastructure, and weapons caches. Yet, the group continues to operate, launching sporadic rocket attacks and maintaining control over parts of Gaza. Lapid’s critique suggests that Netanyahu’s government has failed to achieve its stated military objectives, leaving Israel in a prolonged state of war with no clear endgame.
Lapid also criticized Netanyahu for failing to secure the release of the hostages still held in Gaza. Of the more than 250 individuals taken during the initial Hamas attack, approximately 100 remain in captivity, with many feared dead. Negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar have repeatedly stalled, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of intransigence. Families of the hostages have held large protests in Israel, demanding that the government prioritize their loved ones’ release over military escalation. Lapid’s remarks amplify these concerns, accusing Netanyahu of neglecting a critical issue that has galvanized public outrage.
“Instead of halting the diplomatic tsunami, Netanyahu today worsened the situation of the State of Israel,” Lapid wrote. His use of the term “diplomatic tsunami” refers to the growing wave of international criticism and legal challenges facing Israel. The country is currently defending itself against a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), brought by South Africa in December 2023. The case alleges that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide under international law, citing the scale of civilian deaths, the destruction of infrastructure, and the deliberate deprivation of humanitarian aid. While Israel has denied the allegations, the case has further damaged its standing in the international community.
Netanyahu’s Defense and the Global Backlash
In his UN address, Netanyahu sought to shift the narrative, portraying Israel as a victim of aggression and accusing its critics of hypocrisy. He argued that Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, was an unprovoked act of terrorism that necessitated a robust military response. He also claimed that Israel has taken unprecedented measures to minimize civilian casualties, including issuing evacuation orders and establishing humanitarian corridors. However, these claims have been met with skepticism, as reports from Gaza indicate that evacuation routes are often unsafe, and humanitarian aid is frequently blocked or delayed.
Netanyahu’s speech also included a defense of Israel’s right to self-defense, a recurring theme in his public statements. He accused the UN and other international bodies of applying a double standard to Israel, pointing to the lack of similar scrutiny for other conflicts around the world. “The UN has become a swamp of antisemitism,” he declared, echoing sentiments that have resonated with his domestic base but alienated many foreign leaders.
The mass walkout by UN delegations underscored the extent of global disapproval. Countries such as Ireland, Norway, and Spain, which have recognized Palestine as a state, were among those that left the chamber. Even traditional allies like the United States and Germany faced domestic pressure to reassess their support for Israel’s actions. The Biden administration, while continuing to provide military aid to Israel, has publicly called for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian assistance to Gaza, reflecting the growing tension between diplomatic rhetoric and policy realities.
Domestic Political Dynamics: A Fractured Israel
Lapid’s criticism of Netanyahu is not just a reaction to the UN speech but part of a broader political struggle within Israel. Netanyahu, who leads the Likud party, has faced intense domestic scrutiny for his handling of the war and its aftermath. His coalition government, which includes far-right and ultranationalist parties, has been accused of prioritizing political survival over national interests. Critics argue that Netanyahu’s refusal to pursue a ceasefire or negotiate a hostage deal is driven by his need to maintain support from hardline coalition partners, who oppose any concessions to Hamas.
Public opinion in Israel is deeply divided. While many Israelis support the goal of dismantling Hamas, there is growing frustration with the war’s cost, both in terms of human lives and economic impact. The conflict has strained Israel’s economy, with tourism and foreign investment declining sharply. The military mobilization of reservists has disrupted businesses and families, while the constant threat of rocket attacks and regional escalation has heightened public anxiety.
Lapid, as the leader of the opposition, has positioned himself as a pragmatic alternative to Netanyahu. His Yesh Atid party advocates for a diplomatic approach that prioritizes hostage negotiations and international cooperation. However, Lapid’s ability to challenge Netanyahu is constrained by the fragmented nature of Israeli politics, where coalition dynamics often trump ideological differences. Recent polls suggest that Netanyahu’s coalition remains resilient, despite its unpopularity, as opposition parties struggle to unite around a common agenda.
The International Context: A Shifting Global Order
The Gaza conflict has unfolded against the backdrop of a rapidly changing global order, with implications for Israel’s foreign relations. The war has deepened divisions between the Global North and South, with many countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America condemning Israel’s actions as disproportionate and inhumane. The BRICS bloc, led by China and Russia, has called for an immediate ceasefire and accused Western powers of enabling Israel’s campaign through arms sales and diplomatic cover.
At the same time, Israel has sought to strengthen ties with regional powers through the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations with countries like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. However, the ongoing war has strained these relationships, as public opinion in the Arab world remains overwhelmingly sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. Saudi Arabia, which was reportedly close to normalizing ties with Israel before the war, has paused discussions, citing the need for progress on Palestinian statehood.
The ICJ genocide case represents another challenge for Israel’s international standing. A preliminary ruling in January 2024 ordered Israel to take measures to prevent genocide in Gaza, including allowing humanitarian aid and preserving evidence of alleged atrocities. While the court has not yet issued a final verdict, the case has emboldened critics and fueled calls for sanctions and arms embargoes against Israel.
The Path Forward: Ceasefire or Escalation?
As the war in Gaza nears its third year, the prospects for a resolution remain uncertain. Ceasefire talks have repeatedly collapsed, with both sides accusing each other of bad faith. Hamas demands a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the blockade, while Israel insists on the total destruction of Hamas’s military capabilities and the release of all hostages. The lack of trust between the parties, combined with domestic political pressures, has made a breakthrough elusive.
For the people of Gaza, the human cost continues to mount. Hospitals are overwhelmed, schools are closed, and entire communities have been uprooted. The international community faces a moral and logistical challenge in addressing the crisis, with aid agencies warning that Gaza is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.
Lapid’s critique of Netanyahu’s UN speech reflects a broader demand for accountability and a new direction in Israel’s approach to the conflict. Whether his words will translate into political change remains to be seen, but they underscore the urgency of finding a path to peace. As the world watches, the stakes for Israel, Gaza, and the broader region could not be higher.
