WATCH: Delegates storm out ahead of Netanyahu's UN address as he accuses world leaders of 'appeasing evil'
Delegates from dozens of countries stormed out of the UN General Assembly as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began defending Israel's war in Gaza.
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Dozens of delegates from nations including Iran stormed out before the Israeli PM began a passionate defence of Israel's war in Gaza - shockingly declaring western recognition of Palestine shows 'murdering Jews pays off'.
The Israeli leader vowed his country would "finish the job" in Gaza as he accused world leaders of "appeasing evil" by criticising the military campaign.
The few world powers in attendance, the US and the UK, 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.
"Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure," he said. "
And I guarantee you one thing: Israel won't."
Responding to countries' recent decisions to recognise Palestinian statehood, Mr Netanyahu said: "Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere."
During his speech, Mr Netanyahu broadcast a message directly to the people of Gaza and the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
The message read: "Our brave heroes, this is Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking to you live from the United Nations.
"We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you, we will not falter, and we will not rest until we bring all of you home."
In a direct message to Hamas, he said: "Free the hostages now.
"If you do, you will live.
"If you don't, Israel will hunt you down."
The Israeli PM hit out at world leaders who have condemned his military campaign in Gaza, which a UN committee has deemed genocide.
"You have confused good with evil," he told Israel's critics who have recognised the Palestinian state, including Britain, France, Canada and Australia.
He said every country should "follow Donald Trump's lead" and support his government.
"Instead, many do the opposite," he said.
"They actually reward the worst antisemites on earth.
"I have a message for these leaders, when the most savage terrorists on earth and effusively praising your decision, you didn't do something right, you did something wrong."
Taking aim at Iran, Iraq and Syria, he said: "This axis threatened the peace of the entire world, the stability of our region and the very existence of my country Israel."
As he has often in the past, Mr Netanyahu held up a visual aid - a map of the region titled "The Curse" - with the three countries highlighted in red.
He claimed Israel has destroyed "the bulk of the Hamas terror machine" and "crippled Hezbollah".
He added: "Most importantly [...] we devastated Iran's atomic weapons and ballistic missiles programme".
Ending his address, he said: "Ladies and gentlemen, the horrors that happened on one dark day, October 7th. Those horrors happened countless times during the centuries of my people's exiles among the nations.
"Jewish blood was cheap. Jews were killed with impunity. We had to beg others to defend us. The rise of Israel did not mean that the attempts to destroy us would end. It meant that we could fight back against those attempts. And that is exactly what Israel has done since October 7th.
"Our sons and daughters fought like lions. Our brave soldiers donned their uniforms and rushed into battle. They were armed with the dreams of the hundred generations of Jews who came before them. The dream of living as a free people in the land of Israel, our beloved homeland, for more than 3,000 years.
"The dreams of living in our own independent state. The dream of having an army to defend ourselves. And the dream of being a light unto the nations, a beacon of progress, ingenuity, innovation for the benefit of all humanity. On October 7, the enemies of Israel tried to extinguish that light. Two years later, the resolve of Israel and the strength of Israel burn brighter than ever.
"With God's help, that strength and that resolve would lead us to a speedy victory and to a brilliant future of prosperity and peace. Thank you very much."