**Netanyahu's Fiery Speech at U.N. Assembly Sparks Walkouts and Protests**

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the United Nations' General Assembly by storm on Friday, responding to what he called "lies and slanders" against Israel. His appearance, which he had initially intended to avoid, followed a torrent of criticism leveled by various speakers against his nation. As Netanyahu began his address, reactions from the gallery were mixed, with applause, cheers, and boos resonating through the hall. Relatives of Israeli hostages were present in the public gallery, adding to the charged atmosphere.

As Netanyahu proceeded with his speech, which he dubbed as an effort to "set the record straight," groups of diplomats stood up and exited the room, leaving the delegate floor noticeably sparse. He lambasted the United Nations, accusing it of harboring a "swamp of antisemitic bile" and calling the institution a "house of darkness." Netanyahu underscored his stance against Iran and its affiliates, delivering a stern warning: "There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach." He vowed that Israel will continue to fight until achieving "total victory."

Outside the U.N. headquarters, thousands gathered in protest on Thursday and Friday, condemning Netanyahu and his government. Demonstrators held signs and chanted slogans such as "bring the hostages home" and "end the war." Some protesters went as far as calling Netanyahu a war criminal and demanded his arrest. Amidst the varied reactions, a group of Orthodox Jewish men and boys declared, "anti-Zionism is not antisemitism," with some passersby showing support and others opposing vehemently.

Netanyahu’s tense arrival in New York on Thursday set the tone for his confrontational demeanor. He affirmed his government’s unwavering stance against Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group involved in continuous conflict with Israel since Hamas’ attacks on October 7. The attacks led to the deaths of 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages taken inside Gaza. The ensuing conflict has been devastating, with more than 40,000 reported casualties in Gaza.

Governments worldwide, including the U.S. and France, have been pushing for a 21-day cease-fire in response to the conflict's escalation. The situation has also led to the displacement of over 700 individuals in Lebanon due to recent airstrikes and threats of ground invasion. In northern Israel, about 60,000 people had been uprooted since October 7 due to Hezbollah's rocket and drone strikes.

In the face of harsh criticism from the international community and U.N. resolutions against Israel, Netanyahu dismissed the findings and demands as nonbinding and therefore ignorable. The U.N. General Assembly had demanded Israel's withdrawal from Palestinian territories and called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, which Israel has refused to adhere to.

Tensions between Israel and the United Nations have been increasingly strained, with accusations flying from both sides. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres recently noted a lack of communication from Netanyahu since the war's onset. The escalating violence has prompted global concern, with Guterres warning of the dire situation in Lebanon and the ongoing violations of Security Council resolutions.

In Israel, the public pressure on Netanyahu from families of hostages has been relentless, with many calling for a cease-fire deal to prioritize the release of hostages over continuing military action. This groundswell of domestic and international pressure underscores the complex and fraught nature of the conflict, as well as the contentious global discourse surrounding it.