Israeli PM sent a message to Trump's evangelical core

As diplomats and world leaders staged a mass walkout in protest at the appearance of indicted alleged war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations, it was clear they were not his target audience. Standing at the podium in New York, charts in hand, he was only concerned about addressing one evangelical group in particular.

- SAM KILEY

“You know what message the leaders who recognise a Palestinian state this week sent to the Palestinians? It’s a very clear message. Murdering Jews pays off. The most savage terrorists on Earth are effusively praising your decision,” the Israeli prime minister growled.

“You didn’t do something right. You did something wrong, horribly wrong. Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere. It will be a mark of shame on all of you.”

While the UK, France, Canada, Australia and others joined the majority of nations around the world in officially recognising the Palestinian state, which has no recognised borders, Netanyahu raged against what he said was a “blood libel” against Jews and Israel over allegations of genocide in Gaza.