Israeli PM’s speech at UN met with protests, walkouts

New Delhi, Sep 27: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday was marked by limited protests, as several delegates walked out of the hall, reflecting the growing global divisions over Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas and its handling of relations in West Asia.

Netanyahu’s speech, delivered amidst jeers, highlighted the deep polarisation surrounding Israel’s actions and policies, particularly in the context of escalating violence across the region.

The timing of Netanyahu’s speech was coming shortly after mixed signals from U.S. officials about a proposed ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border that Israel rejected. In his remarks, Netanyahu sought to refute what he described as “lies and slander” by other world leaders, framing his appearance as an effort to “set the record straight.”

He drew a parallel between the recent Hamas attacks on Israel and the Holocaust, vowing to rescue hostages held in Gaza and eliminate the threat posed by Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iranian proxies.

Netanyahu’s rhetoric also extended to Iran, warning that Israel could strike anywhere in the country to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. He also called for the reimposition of sanctions on Tehran, emphasising Israel’s resolve to neutralise threats from Hizbollah and Hamas.

Media reported that Israel’s Prime Minister’s defiant tone also pointed to criticism of the UN, which he described as “a house of darkness” rife with “antisemitic bile,” underscoring his frustration with what he perceives as the organisation’s biased treatment of Israel.

While Netanyahu’s speech rallied domestic support and resonated with Israel’s allies, it also laid bare the international community’s discontent. The walkouts by multiple delegations, coupled with the absence of the Saudi Arabian delegation when Netanyahu praised potential normalisation of ties, reflected the deep fractures in global diplomatic relations over Israel’s conduct.

The absence of Saudi officials was particularly telling as media reported, as Netanyahu expressed optimism about formalising diplomatic relations with Riyadh. Despite ongoing informal talks, Saudi Arabia has maintained that it will not normalise relations with Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

This hardline stance complicates Netanyahu’s vision of a “new Middle East,” or West Asia rooted in the Abraham Accords, which normalised Israel’s relations with several Arab states.

Simultaneously, the conflict with Hezbollah on Israel’s northern front continues to escalate, with Lebanese officials warning that the violence threatens to destabilise the entire region. Hezbollah confirmed the death of a senior commander following Israeli strikes, adding to the mounting casualties. Lebanon faces a deepening humanitarian crisis, with up to half a million people displaced by the ongoing violence.

Netanyahu’s speech also touched on the growing scrutiny from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is reportedly considering arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leaders.

Netanyahu dismissed the ICC’s actions as biased, accusing the court of targeting Israel while ignoring atrocities committed by Iran and its allies.

Amid these rising tensions, Yemen’s Houthi movement escalated its involvement, launching missile and drone strikes against Israel in solidarity with Hamas and Hezbollah. The Houthis, backed by Iran, warned that their attacks would continue until the violence in Gaza and Lebanon subsided, adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.

Netanyahu’s speech at the UN not only reflected his determination to defend Israel’s military actions but also exposed the deep divides within the international community. As violence intensifies across West Asia, the path to peace seems challenging, and the prospects for a broader diplomatic solution remain uncertain and continue to remain difficult.