Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is anticipated to present a strong stance at the UN on Friday opposing a Palestinian state, despite facing unusual pressure from US President Donald Trump, who is seeking a resolution on Gaza. Netanyahu is scheduled to speak at the United Nations General Assembly following recent moves by France, Britain, and other Western nations to officially recognize a Palestinian state in response to Israel’s persistent offensive in Gaza over the past two years.
As the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, Netanyahu has consistently rejected the idea of a Palestinian state, with his far-right allies even considering annexing the West Bank to eliminate any chance of an independent Palestine. However, Trump, typically a close ally of Netanyahu, has cautioned against annexation as he promotes a peace plan for Gaza that includes disarming Hamas, the group responsible for the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered Israeli retaliation.
During a conversation on Thursday, Trump informed reporters at the White House that he would not permit Israel to annex the West Bank, emphasizing that it was out of the question. Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Washington on Monday following the phone call with Trump. Facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over allegations of war crimes, including the use of starvation as a tactic, Netanyahu opted for an unconventional route to New York, flying over the narrow Strait of Gibraltar.
Notably, Steve Witkoff, a real-estate associate of Trump turned global negotiator, was observed entering the upscale hotel where Netanyahu was lodging in Manhattan. Outside, a small group of protesters and supporters of Netanyahu were present, with one protester, Andrea Mirez, stating, “War criminals do not deserve peace or rest.”
Activists are planning a demonstration from Times Square on the same day as Netanyahu’s speech, calling for his arrest. According to health ministry data in Gaza, Israel’s offensive has led to the deaths of over 65,500 Palestinians, primarily civilians, with the United Nations endorsing the reliability of the figures. The attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of 1,219 individuals, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official records, marking the deadliest day in the country’s history.
French President Emmanuel Macron initiated a special summit that resulted in several Western powers, including France, Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, recognizing a Palestinian state. These nations expressed frustration with Israel for its recent intensified offensive in Gaza, which has caused the displacement of nearly the entire population.
British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy addressed the General Assembly, condemning the situation in Gaza as indefensible, inhumane, and calling for immediate cessation of the conflict. Netanyahu has criticized Western countries and the United Nations, accusing them of bias, and has continued military operations in Iran, Qatar, and Syria despite US diplomatic interventions.
Richard Gowan, an expert on the United Nations from the International Crisis Group, predicted that Netanyahu’s tone at the UN would be highly critical. Gowan suggested that Netanyahu’s primary objective is to denounce the UN for its failure to support Israel and to condemn the countries that recognized Palestine recently.
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas delivered a video address to the General Assembly on Thursday after the United States denied him a visa. Abbas advocated for the exclusion of Hamas, a rival to his Palestinian Authority, and condemned both the October 7 attacks and antisemitism. However, Gowan expressed skepticism about the impact of Abbas’s speech on Netanyahu, noting that Netanyahu fundamentally opposes the notion of a Palestinian state, regardless of the governing authority.