Netanyahu UNGA speech was lackluster: Israeli media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
23 Sep 2023 12:06
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Israeli media reports that the hall was mostly empty during Netanyahu's speech, with the foreign diplomats in attendance being roughly the same number as Netanyahu's entourage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a mostly empty hall at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, UN HQ, New York, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 (AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the UN General Assembly was coupled with massive anti-judicial reform protests outside the UNGA building. Israeli media commented saying that Netanyahu's speech will definitely not go down in history as "Israel's" best speech at the UN, but it was sufficient in communicating the current events.

Barak Rafid, a correspondent and diplomatic analyst for the Israeli outlet Walla!, reported that thousands of Israelis and American Jews gathered at the corner of 48th Street and Second Avenue in New York City to protest against Netanyahu and the judicial reforms his government is pushing. This unprecedented scene resembled a rally in Manhattan, with the protesters' noise reaching well beyond the UN headquarters' courtyard.

Rafid added that while Netanyahu did not hear the protesters, he was aware of them and he was deeply concerned about the massive demonstration against him outside the hall.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, being protested by UnXeptable https://t.co/1kG2be3n79 while at the Consulate General of Israel, 2nd Avenue between East 42nd & 43rd Streets, Manhattan, New York, NY, 2:50pm, Friday, September 22, 2023#nyc nyc@protest_nyc

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— DataInput (@datainput) September 22, 2023

The writer observed that the General Assembly session was rather lackluster, as few diplomats attended to hear Netanyahu's speech. The hall was mostly empty, with the foreign diplomats in attendance being roughly the same number as Netanyahu's entourage.

Notably, Netanyahu avoided any mention of the judicial reforms in his speech. He seemed to fixate on international affairs, Rafid commented. The reporter also noted that Netanyahu's office had issued three clarification statements since his arrival in New York after he slipped up and called for a "credible nuclear threat" against Iran, stating that he meant it as a "credible military threat."

Anti-Zionist Jews trampled on the flag of "Israel" yesterday at a protest against Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to New York outside the Loews Regency Hotel in NYC, where he was staying for the #UNGA78. pic.twitter.com/3n5RxJHVCV
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) September 22, 2023

Meanwhile, thousands of Israelis and American Jews rallied against Netanyahu outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. They held banners reading "Netanyahu is illegitimate" and "Shame on Netanyahu," as reported by Israeli media.

This comes as "Israel" has witnessed protests against Netanyahu's judicial reforms for approximately 37 weeks. Critics accuse Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges, of seeking to avoid legal convictions through these reforms.