They cannot hear the truth: Netanyahu's battle at the UN and why this year's speech was different | Shlomo Shmir
Shlomo Shmir analyzes Netanyahu's speech at the UN and points to two dramatic changes: the UN has become a powerless and disgusting organization, and Netanyahu has become an unpopular and disconnected figure on the international stage. The writer claims that the organization covers its irrelevance with anti-Israelism, and that many representatives left the hall because they cannot hear the truth.
Shlomo Shmir analyzes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the 81st UN General Assembly and points to two dramatic changes compared to previous years. First, the UN has become an organization with no influence, involvement, or active presence in global crises. The writer calls it a "disgusting organization" and notes that Russia is waging a war against Ukraine without the Security Council holding a single official discussion, and the Houthis are taking over passages in the Red Sea without a response. In his view, the organization covers its irrelevance with anti-Israelism, as expressed in speeches that called Israel a "threat to world peace and security." Second, Netanyahu has become an unpopular, unacceptable, and disconnected figure on the international stage, a situation Shmir attributes to his personal responsibility. Many representatives left the hall during his speech, and the writer explains that they simply cannot hear the truth. Shmir concludes that the first reason cannot be changed, but the second reason has potential for improvement.