‘The eternity of Israel will not falter’: Netanyahu ends UN General Assembly speech to applause

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, September 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, September 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu moves toward the end of his speech at the UN by noting that the Jewish people’s story goes back over 3,000 years.

“We speak the same language today that we spoke then. We live in the same land in which our ancestors lived then — David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah,” he says. “That’s our land: The Land of Israel. Our prophets, our purpose and our people are unique in history.”

“Our values have inspired humanity for millennia,” he continues: “The belief in one god. The sanctity of life. The rule of law. Our eternal quest for peace. Our eternal quest for justice. It is these sacred values that propelled us throughout the ages. It is these values that helped us beat the odds of history.”

“Over the centuries, the tyrannies that tried to destroy us failed time and again,” he concludes, “and God willing, they will continue to fail. If we muster our courage, if we steel our resolve, we will continue to win.”

“The eternity of Israel will not falter,” he says, quoting the Bible, “and the reason is simple: “We have no other choice.”

“Happy holidays, and thank you,” he says to a 30-second round of applause from the gallery.

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