Israeli opposition aligned with Iran, PLO: Netanyahu prior to US trip

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
18 Sep 2023 09:11

Netanyahu leaves to New York for a speech at the general assembly.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, arrives at the weekly cabinet meeting in Occupied al-Quds, Sunday, Sep 10, 2023 (AP Photo, Pool)

Israeli occupation Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, left Monday morning for the US on a state visit: starting with California and then New York where he will speak at the UN general assembly, Israeli media reported.

"I am now leaving for the UN General Assembly where I will represent Israel before the nations of the world," Netanyahu said at a brief press conference at the Ben Gurion International Airport.

"There have always been demonstrations in favor of Israel and against Israel," he said referring to the anticipated anti-judicial reform protests that were planned during his speech at the UN.

"But this time we see demonstrations against Israel by people affiliated with the PLO, Iran, and others," Netanyahu said in an attempt to liken the Israeli opposition to the enemies of "Israel".

"Nothing is surprising anymore, but that will not prevent me from representing Israel brilliantly and in the best way for all its citizens," he added.

On his part former defense minister and National Unity opposition party chairman, Benny Gantz voiced support for the protests, saying, "It's no secret that these shared values are now at the center of the dispute between us and the U.S. due to the coup led by the government and which continues to tear Israel apart from the inside."

"The prime minister has the responsibility to reflect the reality as it is. That's how it should be between friends and partners," Gantz added in a post on his X account.

"At the same time, we are in a period of tremendous security and political challenges facing us, ones we have not known since the Yom Kippur War [1973 war]."

"In this matter, the expected meeting with the President of the United States is of great importance, and I would like to wish the Prime Minister success in his mission and say in the clearest way - in all matters related to the country's security and its strategic interests, we will recover the government from the opposition," Gantz concluded.

The White House reported on Friday that the US President is scheduled to meet Netanyahu in New York on Wednesday. According to Jake Sullivan, the US national security advisor, the two leaders would "discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues."

The White House advisor stated that the anticipated meeting would focus on the alleged "shared democratic values" between the United States and "Israel." This is in reference to what Sulivan believes has caused deep unease in the White House regarding Netanyahu's judicial overhaul. Speaking for the White House, he considers it "an assault on the judiciary independence."