Netanyahu Heads to UN for 1-Day Visit as Israel Faces Sanctions and 60% US Unfavorable Rating
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 24
Netanyahu Heads to UN for 1-Day Visit as Israel Faces Sanctions and 60% US Unfavorable Rating
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 24
Summary
A 1-day New York trip and no planned meeting with Donald Trump frame Benjamin Netanyahu’s U.N. address as Israel enters the General Assembly under unusually deep diplomatic strain weeks before elections.
That isolation has intensified over Israel’s conduct in Gaza and expanding West Bank settlements, with Britain, Canada and France among a dozen countries imposing sanctions on settlements this month.
U.S. support has also weakened: a Pew poll in April found 60% of American adults viewed Israel unfavorably, up from 53% a year earlier, while some lawmakers are pressing to rethink military aid.
Netanyahu’s critics say he and hard-liners have damaged Israel’s standing, but allies say he often turns international rebukes into domestic political strength by casting the moment as Israel against the world.
The speech follows last year’s walkout by more than 100 diplomats from over 50 countries and is expected to again spotlight Iran and what Netanyahu calls global hypocrisy toward Israel.
How long can Netanyahu leverage global outrage at the UN into domestic political fuel before Israel's economic lifelines are permanently severed?
With ICC warrants looming and global sanctions mounting, can Netanyahu's defiant UN strategy save Israel's global standing or seal its diplomatic exile?
As unprecedented sanctions target controversial West Bank expansions, is the international community finally drawing a hard line on the two-state solution's survival?