Netanyahu defiant at UN

ENCIRCLED by critics and protesters at the United Nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday told fellow world leaders that his nation "must finish the job" against Hamas in Gaza, giving a defiant speech despite growing international isolation over his refusal to end the devastating war.

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"Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure," he said. "And I guarantee you one thing: Israel won't."

He spoke after dozens of delegates from multiple nations walked out of the U.N. General Assembly hall en masse Friday as he began.

Responding to countries' recent decisions to recognize Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu said: "Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere."

"Antisemitism dies hard. In fact, it doesn't die at all," Netanyahu said. Netanyahu routinely accuses his critics of antisemitism.