https://www.jns.org/news/israel-news/fu ... l-assembly
“I want you to listen to my words carefully: One day, and it may not be far away, the Iranian people will be free. Their murderous regime will be toppled by its lies, by its corruption, by its cruelty,” the Israeli prime minister said.
(Sept. 24, 2026 / JNS)
The following is a transcript of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address during the 81st U.N. General Assembly in New York City, on Sept. 24, released by the prime minister’s office. It has been lightly edited for style.
“Mr. President,
Before I begin, just a quick announcement:
If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t yet left this hall—please do so now. Thank you very much.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Fourteen years ago, I stood on this podium, and I drew a red line.
I vowed to prevent Iran’s murderous dictatorship from developing atomic bombs, nuclear weapons aimed at destroying Israel, nuclear weapons that could threaten the entire world.
That’s exactly what we did.
Now let me say something that might surprise you.
Devastating Iran’s nuclear facilities was hard. It was very hard to do. But for me, it was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make as prime minister. Because if we hadn’t done it, we’d all be dead.
Now, you want to hear the ultimate irony?
In defending itself, Israel is also defending many of the countries whose delegates just left this hall!
In fact, I want you to know that many of their leaders even thank us privately for taking out Iran’s nukes.
It’s hard to imagine more mind-blowing hypocrisy, but that’s exactly what it is.