Israeli PM Bennett at the United Nations

Stand for Israel  |  September 27, 2021

Today, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York City for the first time. During his speech – which you can watch in full above or read below – PM Bennett discussed his nation’s response to the ongoing pandemic, Israel’s quest for peace, and her enemies’ desire for her destruction:

Israel is a lighthouse in a stormy sea.

A beacon of democracy, diverse by design innovative by nature and eager to contribute to the world — despite being in the toughest neighborhood on earth.

We are an ancient nation.

Returned – to our ancient homeland,

Revived – our ancient language,

Restored – our ancient sovereignty.

Israel is a miracle of Jewish revival.

Am Yisrael Chai – the nation of Israel is alive,

and the State of Israel is its beating heart.

For way too long, Israel was defined by wars with our neighbors.

But this is not what Israel is about.

This is not what the people of Israel are about.

Israelis don’t wake up in the morning thinking about conflict.

Israelis like everyone else, want to lead a good life, take care of our families, and build a better world for our children.

Which means that from time to time, we might need to leave our jobs, say goodbye to our families, and rush to the battlefield to defend our country — just like my friends and I have had to do ourselves.

They should not be judged for it.

Israelis remember the dark horrors of our past, but remain determined to look ahead, to build a brighter future…

Read entire remarks by Israeli PM Naftali Bennett to the U.N. General Assembly.