“Let’s do something else for the first time at the UN. Let’s do a pop quiz. Who shouts, ‘Death to America ’?," he queried the Assembly while pulling out a placard. "Is it A. Iran, B. Hamas, C. Hezbollah, D. the Houthis, or E. all of the above? Correct, all of the above. Second question: Who has murdered Americans and Europeans in cold blood? A. Al-Qaeda, B. Hamas, C. Hezbollah, D. Iran, or E. all of the above? Correct again.”

The Israeli leader used the exercise to argue that Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis, threaten not just Israel but the entire modern world.

“Our enemies hate all of us with equal venom,” Netanyahu warned. “They want to drag the modern world back to the past, to a dark age of violence, fanaticism, and terror. You know deep down that Israel is fighting your fight.”

Netanyahu claimed that despite public criticism, many world leaders privately thank Israel for its intelligence, which he said has repeatedly prevented terrorist attacks in foreign capitals.

“Behind closed doors, many of the leaders who publicly condemn us, privately thank us,” he said. “They tell me how much they value Israel’s superb intelligence services that have prevented, time and again, terrorist attacks in their capitals, saving countless lives.”

He cited comments by former U.S. Air Force intelligence chief General George Keegan, who once said the U.S. would need “five CIAs” to match Israel’s intelligence capabilities, and noted that German Chancellor Merz admitted Israel was “doing the dirty work for all of us” after Israel struck Iranian nuclear sites in June.

Netanyahu also praised former U.S. President Donald Trump for showing Iran that there is “a price to pay” for targeting Americans.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez put forward two proposals: full UN membership for Palestine and immediate steps to halt the bloodshed.“Spain will adopt a plan with measures to halt the genocide in Gaza ,” he said. “History will judge those who perpetrated this barbarity or remained silent. Let us side with rationality, with diplomacy.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the EU’s financial backing for Palestinian institutions.“Europe has been the lifeline of the Palestinian Authority, providing 1.6 billion euros. We will set up a dedicated instrument for Gaza's reconstruction and coordinate with other donors to relaunch the Palestinian economy,” she said.

From the Middle East , Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi warned that the conflict threatens the region far beyond Gaza.“Israel's military campaign targeted several countries, including Qatar, where an attack on Doha killed six civilians and violated international law. We hold the Israeli government fully responsible,” he told the gathering.

The UAE also weighed in, with Minister of State Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar urging a renewed push for Palestinian statehood. He called for a “clear political horizon and binding roadmap for an independent Palestinian state.”

The remarks came as several Western nations — including the UK, France, Canada, and Australia — confirmed they will formally recognise the State of Palestine.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the move, insisting it would endanger Israel’s survival and “reward terrorism.”

The mounting international response comes against a backdrop of severe civilian harm in Gaza. According to Palestinian health authorities , more than 60,000 people have died in the conflict, including a significant portion who are women, children, or the elderly.

Meanwhile, a new report by a UN Commission of Inquiry accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, charging that official statements and ground operations show intent to inflict life-threatening conditions on civilians. Israel has rejected the report as biased.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly opposed recent recognitions of Palestinian statehood. He insists that recognising such a state now would risk Israel’s survival and constitute a reward for terrorism. These recognitions, meanwhile, are seen by many international actors as a symbolic but crucial step to signal shifting norms.

The ongoing debates at UNGA focus on the need for a ceasefire, reconstruction aid, inclusion in governance (excluding Hamas), and setting the conditions for a viable, independent Palestinian state.