Israelis Split Over Netanyahu's UN Address as Polls Near

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly drew divided reactions in Jerusalem, with some residents backing his defence of the country's policies and others questioning whether the speech could shift international opinion.

In the address, Netanyahu rejected allegations of genocide in Gaza, calling them "the biggest lie of the century," and defended Israel's military actions against Iran. Scores of delegates walked out of the assembly hall as he took the podium.

Shlomo Khuta, a Jerusalem resident, said the speech had strengthened Israel's position. "Netanyahu's speech was excellent. It did good for the State of Israel, strengthened our policy," he said.

Eyal Cohen Yashar, another resident, took a different view, saying the address was aimed at a domestic audience rather than at persuading the outside world. "There's nothing left to convince, as the images speak for themselves and there's nothing we can do against it, the disaster that happened in Gaza," he said.

He also touched on Israel's regional ties, saying good relations with Turkey were economically essential even if Ankara was "not entirely right," and that there was some truth to criticism of Qatar, which he said had historically funded many things in the Gaza Strip "not for the benefit of the residents."

Daniel Dvash, a third resident, said he had watched the entire speech and judged it favourably, but argued it was directed mainly at Israelis rather than audiences in the United States or Europe. He said Netanyahu appeared to be seeking more mandates because he sensed political trouble.

The speech came amid mounting international criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, launched after the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. Netanyahu faces reelection next month in polls widely seen as a referendum on his responsibility for the security failures surrounding those attacks and on his ability to defend Israel's reputation on the world stage.