Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly where he highlighted the potential for a diplomatic agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, as well as the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace. This marks a shift in Netanyahu’s previous stance on Israeli-Palestinian relations.
During his 25-minute address, Netanyahu emphasized the benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence, a topic he had discussed earlier in a conversation with tech mogul Elon Musk. Surprisingly, he did not mention the ongoing issue of weakening Israel’s Supreme Court, which has been a matter of great concern and civil strife within the country.
In the past, Netanyahu used his U.N. address to warn about the threat posed by a nuclear Iran, famously displaying a cartoon bomb to illustrate the proximity of Iran to obtaining a nuclear weapon. While he reiterated the dangers of Iran during his recent speech, he presented a more positive message by showcasing the growing number of Middle Eastern countries that have signed normalization agreements with Israel.
Netanyahu used a visual aid to demonstrate the potential trade corridor from India to Europe, with Israel and Saudi Arabia as key hubs. This plan, proposed by President Joe Biden, has received enthusiastic support from Netanyahu. He believes that this corridor will not only break down barriers between Israel and its neighbors but also create a new era of peace and prosperity that connects Asia through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Europe.
Notably, Palestinian demands have played a significant role in discussions surrounding a potential Israeli-Saudi agreement. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had previously stated that peace with the Palestinians should be a prerequisite for broader peace. Furthermore, Saudi leadership organized a side conference at the United Nations, aiming to revive the establishment of a Palestinian state as a realistic goal.
President Biden emphasized the importance of preserving prospects for Palestinian statehood during his meeting with Netanyahu, particularly in light of the escalating Israeli-Palestinian violence this year. He called on both sides to refrain from unilateral measures, including Israel halting the expansion of West Bank settlements supported by Netanyahu’s far-right partners.
It is worth noting that Netanyahu opposes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and has often viewed Israeli-Palestinian relations as a problem to be managed rather than solved. However, his recent speech signaled a shift, acknowledging that an Israeli-Palestinian deal could be an outcome of the normalization process with other Arab countries. Netanyahu emphasized the need for the Palestinians to stop spreading hate speech and recognize the right of the Jewish people to have their own state in Israel.
The speech demonstrated Netanyahu’s commitment to overcoming hurdles and forging a better future for Israel and the entire region. By highlighting the potential for Israeli-Saudi accord and Israeli-Palestinian peace, Netanyahu presented a new perspective on Middle Eastern diplomacy and the possibilities for a more peaceful future.
