LIVE | Netanyahu tells the UN that the US and Israel acted to "save civilization"
The third day of the General Assembly's high-level debate begins. Mahmoud Abbas addressed the assembly via videoconference from Ramallah, after being denied an American visa. Benjamin Netanyahu will speak in person. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella did not travel and delegated his speech to Vice President José Manuel Restrepo.
Mahmud Abbas addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly
The 81st UN General Assembly begins its third day this Thursday with an agenda dominated by the diplomatic clash between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is speaking via videoconference from Ramallah, after Washington denied him a visa for the second consecutive year. Hours later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes the podium in person, with protests planned in New York and the Israeli delegation prepared to respond to the accusations of genocide leveled this week from the rostrum.
At the same session, Colombia was not represented by President Abelardo de la Espriella, who kept his promise not to leave the country. The speech was delivered by Vice President José Manuel Restrepo, scheduled to speak immediately before Netanyahu, with the new government's security and alliances as the announced focus.
03:02 pm · Colombia tells the UN that "terrorism must be condemned"
On Thursday, the Colombian government called on the United Nations General Assembly to move toward a new international definition of terrorism and to strengthen measures to combat this phenomenon on a global scale.
The proposal was put forward by Vice President José Manuel Restrepo, who delivered a message from President Abelardo de la Espriella to the General Assembly.
In the text, De la Espriella acknowledged that throughout his public career he has been critical of the UN, but he assured that his criticisms are not intended to weaken the organization, but rather represent "a way to strengthen it."
"There is a specific issue on which Colombia wants to take this reflection further. I am referring to the international fight against terrorism," he stated. In his view, it is necessary to move toward a common, clear, and precise international definition that is compatible with international law and fundamental rights, but that also allows states to cooperate effectively in the face of terrorist acts.
De la Espriella further maintained that "terrorism must be condemned regardless of who commits it, where it is committed, and what cause is invoked."
Among the measures he considers necessary, he mentioned streamlining the exchange of information, strengthening judicial cooperation, establishing mechanisms to freeze funds used to finance terrorist acts, and coordinating efforts to dismantle terrorist networks.
02:50 pm · Colombia calls for a democratic transition in Venezuela
The Colombian government called on Venezuela to move toward a "prompt, secure, and profound" democratic transition, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation and the subsequent assumption of office by Delcy Rodríguez as acting president in January.
"We are confident in a prompt, secure, and profound democratic transition in Venezuela," said Colombian Vice President José Manuel Restrepo during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, where he delivered a message from President Abelardo de la Espriella.
Colombia's statement comes one day after Rodríguez's address to the UN, in which she assured that Venezuela will hold elections, though she did not specify a date for those elections.
02:40 pm · Netanyahu argues before the UN that the United States and Israel acted together to "save civilization"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for his “bold leadership” and for the partnership between the two countries in the fight against “the barbarians.”
Netanyahu said the United States and Israel acted together to “save civilization” and also highlighted their cooperation to bring back the hostages held in Gaza. He said a US-brokered deal last year led to the release of the remaining hostages held by terrorist groups, both living and dead.
The Israeli leader said Israel is “one nation fighting for one future, left and right, young and old, religious and secular.” In critical moments, he said, Israelis stand together, united by their history, values and courage.
Referring to Iran’s weaponry, Netanyahu asked what would happen if a one-ton ballistic missile struck the United Nations headquarters. Such a missile, he said, would “obliterate the compound.”
Netanyahu also praised the people of Israel and the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), describing them as members of an army made up of “Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze” and calling it “the most moral army in the world, the IDF.”
Amid growing international criticism of Israel, Netanyahu accused Qatar of spending billions of dollars to “spread lies” about Israel by funding US universities and supporting news outlets such as Al Jazeera.
The Israeli prime minister also criticized Turkey for hosting Hamas. He further targeted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of killing thousands of Kurds, illegally occupying northern Cyprus, threatening Greece and jailing journalists.
Netanyahu said Erdogan “calls for Israel’s destruction every day” and claims he will rule Jerusalem. “No sir, you won’t. It is our city,” Netanyahu responded.
02:00 pm · Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers his speech
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.
01:27 pm · Netanyahu arrives at UN headquarters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived Thursday at the United Nations headquarters, where he is scheduled to deliver a speech to the General Assembly later today.
01:00 pm · Uruguay calls for "seeking paths to understanding"
Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi told the UN General Assembly on Thursday that no country possesses "the absolute truth" and argued that nations should not be forced to choose between "models imposed from outside."
During his speech, Orsi advocated for strengthening multilateralism and noted that the effort to achieve peace is a process that "never ends."
The Uruguayan president also warned of the consequences of conflicts and various forms of violence. "Nor can we remain indifferent to the suffering caused by a state of endless war, the fear and pain generated by organized crime, the constant threat of terrorism, the repression that arises from tyranny, or the suffering caused by a harsh economic blockade such as the one endured by the Cuban people," he said.
In this context, Orsi urged world leaders to "seek paths to understanding" to address international challenges.
12:23 pm · "53 days of blockades in Bolivia"
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz told the UN General Assembly on Thursday that the country has now endured 53 days of roadblocks in various parts of the country, and stated that these actions are funded by drug trafficking.
Paz also noted that the protests and roadblocks have left more than 20 people dead in Bolivia.
"53 days of blockades in Bolivia—roads blocked, access to health care and education blocked, more than 20 dead—all financed by narco-terrorism, financed by drug trafficking," the president stated.
In recent months, labor and farmers' unions have supported demonstrations demanding Paz's removal from office. Some of these protests have led to outbreaks of violence, prompting the Bolivian government to declare a state of emergency.
11:30 Am · Guyana highlights its role in Shield of the Americas against organized crime at the UN
On the issue of security, Guyana's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali emphasized before the UN General Assembly that his country is one of the founding members of the Shield of the Americas, an alliance promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump and comprising more than a dozen nations to combat organized crime in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Guyanese president argued that countries in the region must work together to prevent gangs and criminal organizations from gaining control over the hemisphere. In his view, alliances between governments, intelligence sharing, and cooperation are necessary tools for addressing the impact of organized crime on economies and citizens' livelihoods.
10:28 Am · Abbas accuses Israel of 'genocide' at the U.N., remains silent on Hamas' terror
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the U.N. General Assembly via videoconference on Thursday to reiterate his accusation that Israel is waging a "genocidal war" against the Palestinians—a charge that Jerusalem and Washington reject—in a speech that overlooks the responsibility of Hamas and armed groups in the escalation of violence.
"We have our own national project: to build our independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," he said. He called on those who do not yet recognize Palestine to do so and to grant it U.N. membership. Israel considers Jerusalem its indivisible capital and denies that Abbas is a partner capable of dismantling terrorism.
Abbas asserted that Israeli policies no longer merely jeopardize the two-state solution, but threaten the very existence of his people.
"The danger is no longer limited to undermining the two-state solution and preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state. It has now come to threaten the very life and existence of the Palestinian people in their homeland," Abbas said.
Mahmoud Abbas also criticized on Thursday Washington's "punitive" decision to deny him a visa to attend the major diplomatic week at the U.N. "We reject these illegal punitive measures and reject the accusations and justifications on which they were based," he said.
The United States attributes the denial to the fact that the Palestinian Authority has continued to glorify terrorism and to internationalize the conflict in courts.
08:38 pm · Netanyahu vows to respond to Mamdani at the UNGA
08:35 pm · Delcy Rodríguez to the U.N. General Assembly: "I want to say it very clearly: there will be elections in Venezuela"
Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, delivered a speech before the UN General Assembly in which she highlighted the recent energy agreement with the United States, thanked President Donald Trump for his "effort" to improve bilateral relations between Washington and Caracas, and announced, before the eyes of the world, that there will be an election in the South American country.
"I am pleased to announce that Venezuela has begun a process of democratic transformation for its rebirth," Rodríguez stated, noting that current Chavista authorities and a sector of the Washington-backed Venezuelan opposition are in talks to move forward with the Trump administration's three-phase plan. "I want to say it very clearly: there will be elections in Venezuela."
06:33 pm · Trump Greets Xi Jinping on the tarmac as state visit begins
President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday evening directly on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews, an unusual gesture kicking off a two-day state visit in Washington. The agenda includes a 21-gun salute at the White House, private tea with Trump and the first lady, and a tour of the National Archives.
The visit coincides with the week world leaders are gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly, though this bilateral meeting is taking place separately, in the US capital.
The White House also invited executives from OpenAI, Apple, xAI, Microsoft, Nvidia and Meta to Thursday's state dinner, as the AI race between both countries remains a key point of tension. Trump had already dismissed AI-risk warnings on Truth Social, insisting that "whoever wins AI, wins."
03:27 pm · At the U.N., Altman of OpenAI calls for "extreme care" regarding A.I.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, warned the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday that the current state of artificial intelligence "calls for extreme care," and that its development could suddenly accelerate.
"The industry must not accept too much technological risk just because the benefits are too great and important to slow down," he told the 15-member body.
The urgent session brought together several industry executives following weeks of international alarm over out-of-control A.I. and calls to slow down. Altman and Dario Amodei of Anthropic spoke. Clément Delangue of Hugging Face was also in attendance.
Altman maintained that OpenAI will seek a "middle path."
The company recently called on Washington to lead a global agreement on A.I. standards, arguing that the U.S. industry is at the cutting edge of technology.
08:50 pm · Zelensky at U.N.: "Ukrainians did not choose this war, we choose not to die"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday that Russia continues to use international resources and support to sustain its war against Ukraine, and urged world leaders to maintain economic pressure on Moscow.
“Russia’s revenues must remain a target,” Zelensky said, arguing that Russia’s revenues must continue to be targeted to limit its ability to finance the war. “When someone gives Russia more money through trade, they give this war more time,” he said.
The Ukrainian president also highlighted the role of technology in the conflict and warned about the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the battlefield. “As early as next year, there is already a real possibility that A.I. will begin deciding what happens on the battlefield,” he said.
Zelensky also said Ukraine will continue developing its capabilities with drones and other defense systems. “Drones help us control our borders,” he said, and announced that he had signed a drone deal with Finland.
In his address, the Ukrainian president defended his country's resistance against Russia. “Ukrainians did not choose this war, we choose not to die,” he said.
Zelensky also argued that Ukraine has demonstrated that it is possible to “stand and survive” against larger adversaries and warned that, if the war continues, his country will have no choice but to respond.
“Ukraine will have 'no choice' but to make this winter painful for Russia too,” he said.
The Ukrainian president also accused Moscow of abusing its veto power at the U.N. Security Council and urged the international community to maintain measures aimed at reducing Russian revenues and hindering its war efforts.
01:24 pm · Daniel Noboa proposes three measures to combat transnational organized crime to the U.N.
On Wednesday, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa presented three proposals to the United Nations General Assembly to combat transnational organized crime.
The Ecuadorian initiative calls for the creation of mechanisms to track and freeze illicit funds, the establishment of a permanent system for information sharing, and the inclusion of transnational organized crime among the U.N.'s conflict prevention priorities.
During his address, Noboa argued that international cooperation must match the reach of criminal networks, whose operations cross national borders. As he explained, any assistance must be provided in response to a request from the states, respect their sovereignty and yield measurable results.
12:45 pm · Abinader Says the U.N. cannot accept that massacres become a regular occurrence
On Wednesday, the president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, called on the United Nations General Assembly to complete the deployment of the authorized force for Haiti and to provide the personnel and resources still needed to address the crisis.
The president also called for enforcing the arms embargo and sanctioning those who finance and protect the gangs, as well as strengthening the Haitian police, armed forces, and justice system.
The president also stated that the Assembly cannot accept that massacres become a common occurrence for the Haitian people.
12:24 pm · Israel accuses Macron of "grotesque absurdity" over his remarks on Hamas in the west bank
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron after he stated before the UN General Assembly that Hamas "has never operated" in the West Bank.
Tel Aviv called the French president's remarks a "grotesque absurdity" and maintained that Hamas terrorists carry out attacks against Jews "almost daily" in the area. However, a French diplomatic official later clarified that Macron was referring to the fact that Hamas does not govern the West Bank.
11:44 am · Milei says the U.N. is a "useless organization" that feeds a "caste of fatally arrogant parasites"
Argentine President Javier Milei lashed out at the U.N. on Wednesday during the General Assembly. He said the body "has become a useless organization whose only purpose is to sustain a caste of fatally arrogant parasites masquerading as well-intentioned bureaucrats."
Milei criticized the Malvinas/Falkland Islands issue, the 2020 pandemic and government control of A.I. He added that "those who were supposed to guarantee collective security and human rights failed in their task. Instead, they allowed chaos, violence, and international terrorism to flourish."
Regarding the islands, which have been under British control since 1833, he stated: "Those who follow the rules receive no reward for doing so, while those who break them suffer no repercussions whatsoever. That's why the Malvinas [Falkland Islands] are not merely an issue between Argentina and the United Kingdom. They also raise a question regarding the ability of this organization to enforce its own resolutions."
We will soon publish an article with further details.
10:24 Am · Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claims that his country is "a victim of terrorism"
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Wednesday before the U.N. that his country is a victim of terrorism, refuting President Donald Trump's earlier accusation that Tehran was guilty of committing such crimes.
"We are victims of terrorism. ... I come from an Iran where our esteemed supreme leader was assassinated without any legal framework or reason. I come from an Iran where, in truth, they bombed a school," said the Iranian regime leader.
Pezeshkian stated that Tehran would not allow the Strait of Hormuz to be used to carry out acts of aggression against his country. "We cannot allow some to have free access and promote their interests through that waterway, while at the same time using it to impose their aggression on us," he said.
"Iran has never been an aggressor, has never started a war, and has always demonstrated its commitment to the negotiating table. War was imposed on us, but we have shown that we are not afraid to fight," he stated.
Pezeshkian struck a defiant tone on Wednesday before the U.N.: "[U.S. President Donald Trump] must know that the Iranian people's resistance will only grow in the face of sanctions, increased pressure and escalating harassment. We will never bow our heads or kneel," he said.
09:00 am · Al-Sharaa claims the annexed Golan Heights
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa insisted on Wednesday at the U.N. that the Golan Heights "will remain Syrian territories," hours after Damascus once again rejected Colombia's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the plateau.
"Any attempts that violate our sovereignty, violate international law, will be stopped. Golan will remain Syrian territories," al-Sharaa told the leaders gathered in New York.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War, following years of attacks from those heights against communities in northern Israel, and in 1981 applied its law, jurisdiction and administration to the territory. The annexation is considered by Jerusalem as essential to its security. In August, Colombia's new government recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Until then, only the United States—in 2019, under Donald Trump—had endorsed that annexation.
The U.N. continues to describe the plateau as Syrian territory under Israeli occupation. Israel, the United States and now Colombia treat it as part of the Jewish state.
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