He squarely blamed Iran for the violence still unfolding in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen in his address to the UN today.
New Delhi:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood at the United Nations General Assembly podium in New York on Friday, holding two maps.
In his right hand was a map of the Middle East with Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen painted in black and dubbed “The Curse,” while in his left hand was a map showing countries painted green, including Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and even India, termed “The Blessing.”
Most striking about both maps was how completely Palestine had been omitted. Neither the green “blessing” map nor the black “curse” one mentioned its existence.
Netanyahu very quickly made a direct correlation between “The Curse” and Iranian influence, emphasizing the point that Iran and her friends are the direction of this running war in the region.
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The countries painted in green- Egypt, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia- were allies or would-be allies, either having already normalized relations with the State of Israel or in the process of doing so.
In his UN address, he squarely placed the blame for the violence and bloodshed that continues to unfold in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen squarely on the shoulders of Iran.
He claimed proof of its destabilizing influence in the fact that it provides financial and military support to Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen. Israel, he argued, was defending itself on multiple fronts against Iranian-backed fighters throughout the region.
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“If you strike us, we will strike you,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel’s reach could be extended across the entire region if necessary. As Netanyahu spoke to the UN General Assembly, dozens of diplomats exited in protest.
Netanyahu said Israel’s military moves, most of them targeting Lebanon and Gaza, were a response to Iran’s aggressive acts. “As long as Hezbollah takes the way of war, Israel has no choice but to remove this threat,” he declared.
