Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly stood his ground on Sunday, refusing to yield to international pressure calling for a halt to the conflict in Gaza. In a passionate address during the country’s annual Holocaust memorial day, he asserted, “If Israel must face this challenge alone, then so be it.”
His words, spoken in a setting usually reserved for solemn remembrance rather than political discourse, were directed at the growing criticism from global leaders concerning Israel’s military actions against Hamas militants. Despite calls for a ceasefire, Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s determination to defend itself against any threat.
While expressing openness to a potential agreement to end months of conflict and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This stance, however, has drawn significant international opposition due to the presence of over a million civilians in the area.
Addressing world leaders directly, Netanyahu declared, “No amount of pressure or decisions from international bodies will deter Israel from protecting its citizens.” He concluded his message with a poignant reminder, “Never again is now.”
Yom Hashoah, a day of solemn remembrance for the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust, holds deep significance in Israel. While speeches during the ceremony typically avoid politics, Netanyahu has in recent years used the occasion to denounce Israel’s adversaries, particularly Iran.
This year’s memorial took on added significance following the October 7 Hamas attack that ignited the current conflict. The attack claimed the lives of 1,200 people, marking the deadliest violence against Jews since the Holocaust.
Israel’s response, an extensive air and ground offensive in Gaza, has resulted in a staggering death toll and widespread displacement. Despite accusations of genocide and a subsequent case filed against Israel by South Africa in the UN, Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions, asserting its commitment to facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The memorial period began with a ceremony at Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust memorial, and coincided with the release of an Antisemitism Worldwide Report, highlighting a troubling rise in antisemitic incidents globally.
Netanyahu also drew parallels between recent protests on American campuses and the antisemitism of 1930s Germany, condemning what he described as a surge of falsehoods against Israel. The escalating tensions have prompted questions about the boundaries between political speech and antisemitism on college campuses and beyond.
