Benjamin Netanyahu Set For Another U.N. Showdown

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced to delay his scheduled speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Monday after his country launched the deadliest attack on its northern neighbor Lebanon since the invasion of 2006.

Just a year ago, Netanyahu stood at the podium of the U.N. General Assembly, heralding a vision of peace he claimed would reshape the Middle East. But as he prepares to return to that same global stage, the situation has drastically deteriorated.

Israel’s devastating war in Gaza is nearing its one-year mark, while tensions with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group in Lebanon, are pushing the nation to the brink of a broader regional conflict. Internationally, Israel finds itself increasingly isolated, led by a polarizing figure whose wartime policies have ignited protests both abroad and at home.

Adding to his burdens, Netanyahu faces the looming possibility of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC)—a move that would place him alongside controversial figures like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and former Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir.

“Netanyahu is arriving at the U.N. almost as a persona non grata,” says Alon Liel, a former director-general of Israel’s Foreign Ministry and a vocal critic of the prime minister.

‘A Crucial Stage’

Netanyahu, set to address the General Assembly on Friday, is known for his powerful oratory and penchant for turning international appearances into political points back home. In July, his impassioned speech defending Israel’s actions in Gaza before a joint session of the U.S. Congress earned him standing ovations, even from some domestic critics.

“Netanyahu sees these trips to the U.N. as an advantage,” says Yossi Shain, a professor of international relations at Georgetown and Tel Aviv University. “His speeches abroad are often crafted to impress Israelis as much as the global community.”

In previous U.N. speeches, Netanyahu has made headlines with dramatic visuals—like a 2012 address where he brandished a cartoon bomb to illustrate Iran’s nuclear ambitions, or in 2009, when he presented a copy of Auschwitz-Birkenau’s blueprints to condemn Holocaust denial.

Last year, his focus was on what was touted as a burgeoning normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia, which he argued showed how a broader Middle East peace was not dependent on resolving the conflict with the Palestinians. He held up his prop, a map of the region, and used the word “peace” 42 times. However, the map appeared to show Gaza and the West Bank as being incorporated into Israel.

But this year’s appearance comes at a critical moment, with both Netanyahu and Israel’s global reputation in a precarious state. Critics argue that despite his rhetorical flair, it’s unclear whether this trip will yield tangible diplomatic gains.

“He’s a master of speechmaking,” says Israeli political commentator Tal Schneider. “But to think a speech in English will convince the world of his perspective shows how out of touch he is.”

Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on the upcoming address. However, Miki Zohar, a close ally and Cabinet minister, defended the U.N. platform as a “crucial stage” to rally international support for Israel.

A Divided World, A Divided Audience

Netanyahu is expected to make a familiar case at the U. N.—defending Israel’s military actions in Gaza, pushing for global backing against Hezbollah, and casting blame on Iran for the region’s turmoil. His decision to make the trip, even as violence with Hezbollah escalates, underscores the weight he places on this moment.

Yet, many question whether his words will resonate in a world increasingly frustrated with Israel’s military campaign.

“Netanyahu genuinely believes his U.N. speeches can shape history—but they don’t,” says Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli consul general in New York. “Israel is now seen as teetering on the edge of pariah status, with Netanyahu viewed as a war-hungry leader.”

The prime minister’s visit is expected to draw protests, particularly from students at New York’s Columbia University, where opposition to Israel’s Gaza campaign has been fierce.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, has long polarized the international community, with his hard-line stance on the Palestinians alienating many global allies. His management of the Gaza conflict has further tarnished his image.

The war, triggered by Hamas‘ Oct. 7 attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and saw 250 civilians kidnapped, has now claimed the lives of more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. The humanitarian crisis has displaced much of the enclave’s 2.3 million people, sparking growing international outcry. Meanwhile, Netanyahu faces mounting domestic criticism for his failure to secure the release of dozens of hostages still held in Gaza.

Initially, Israel’s retaliatory strikes garnered broad support from allies, including the United States. However, the intensifying civilian death toll has eroded that backing, with the Biden administration slowing arms shipments and Britain suspending certain military exports over concerns of potential violations of international law.

Further complicating Netanyahu’s trip is the looming ICC warrant, which threatens to overshadow his statesmanlike ambitions with the specter of criminal charges. Alon Liel predicts few world leaders will meet with him on the U.N. sidelines, potentially rendering the visit a political misstep.

“He’s a skilled orator,” Liel concedes. “But the world is growing tired of his speeches—and buying into them less and less.”

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press