Netanyahu tells UN Israel seeks peace but is fighting for its life, and winning

Israel is seeking peace despite fighting for its life in the face of “savage enemies” who want its annihilation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a closely watched address to the United Nations on Friday.

“My country is at war, fighting for its life,” Netanyahu said in a speech at the UN General Assembly. “We must defend ourselves against these savage murderers. Our enemies seek not only to destroy us, they seek to destroy our common civilisation and return all of us to a dark age of tyranny and terror.”

Netanyahu spoke as Israel continued to strike Iran-backed Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon amid fears that the attacks could flare into an all-out regional war.

In his speech, he sought to pin blame for the conflict on Israel’s arch foe, Iran. He said Israel was defending itself against Tehran on seven fronts.

“There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach. And that’s true of the entire Middle East. Far from being lambs led to the slaughter, Israel soldiers have fought back with incredible courage,” Netanyahu said to applause while some delegates, including the Iranians, walked out.