[Salon] Netanyahu's Shticky UN Speech Will Be Forgotten. His Grotesque Theatrics Will Not




9/27/25

Netanyahu's Shticky UN Speech Will Be Forgotten. His Grotesque Theatrics Will Not 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 26, 2025.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 26, 2025. Credit: Jeenah Moon/ REUTERS

Like an aging magician who has lost his touch and doesn't understand the spirit of the times, Benjamin Netanyahu pulled out all the worn-out tricks from the past at the UN General Assembly on Friday: the familiar cardboard and the eternal marker, alongside a few equally shabby new gimmicks, such as an idiotic "quiz" where his entourage shouted the answers like kindergarten children and a QR code on his lapel directing to a website documenting the horrors of October 7.

This time, the main novelty was that the "innovative" stunt preceded the speech itself. What initially sounded to any reasonable ear like a cheap joke in the vein of a "patriot's table" skit turned out to be a directive from the Prime Minister's Office to the military: placing loudspeakers throughout the Gaza Strip to broadcast the ruler's propaganda speech to enemy civilians. A practice characteristic of murderous dictators of the past century – and the present. 

IDF soldiers temporarily abandoned their missions to transport and secure the amplification equipment, putting themselves at risk for the sake of the prime minister's megalomaniacal spectacle. In response to criticism, his office claimed the speakers were placed on the border (so what's the point, then?), but this was just another blatant lie from a deceitful office.

Viki Cohen, mother of the kidnapped soldier Nimrod Cohen, summed up the event in one sharp sentence: "This is not an absolute victory, it's an absolute gimmick." Netanyahu addressed the living hostages by name and promised to bring them back. Those who heard this call likely smiled bitterly. Instead of making a brave decision, ending the war and saving the lives of those trapped in the tunnels, Netanyahu cynically used them as a PR prop.

Almost every day, police are sent – sometimes violently – to arrest good people reading the names of the hostages outside the homes of public officials (even blowing a shofar is forbidden if done outside the Prime Minister's Residence). But when this act – originally a symbol of concern and grief – is incorporated into the annual spectacle, it becomes a military operation, no less. Netanyahu has managed to corrupt even the beautiful tradition of reading the names.

Netanyahu's heart is so devoted to the hostages that during the three days of the holiday, he and his wife (whose Palestinian flag we carefully documented before they left) did not step outside their Jerusalem residence to visit families. Like a pair of dictators, they ordered massive sheets stretched between their home and the families' tent. If people must hear the cries, at least they shouldn't see them. Who wants to witness a bunch of "fascist squads" under the balcony?

Netanyahu has spoken fifteen times at the UN General Assembly; in none of them did he portray Israel's situation in the world as catastrophically dire as it is. In the days leading up to his appearance, over 150 countries – including Australia, Canada and much of Europe – recognized a Palestinian state as a protest: against the prolonged political and personal war in Gaza and the killing of civilians; against the West Bank developments, settlements and the violent rampages of settlers committing pogromsagainst Palestinians; and also in protest of fascist and racist statements by ministers and Knesset members in his coalition.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, before their departure to New York, on Thursday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, before their departure to New York, on Thursday. Credit: Avi Ohayon/GPO

On the way to the U.S., the Wing of Zion plane, Israel's official jet – emptied of some passengers, including journalists covering the trip – took a circuitous route to avoid the risk of emergency landing in Europe and potential arrest orders. It was the best illustration of the nation and its leader's state: Israel isolated, afflicted, boycotted, in nearly every possible field. The blows are relentless. Yet the prime minister, personally responsible for this collapse, chose to quarrel, blame others, whine and play the victim. He spared no hollow cliché that his Sancho Panza, Ron Dermer, had inserted into the text.

Again and again, he returned to October 7, at a time when the world is focused on the horrific scenes in Gaza of children and babies torn apart by the hundreds and thousands. Everyone is wrong – except him. Scores of leaders, staunch friends of Israel who fight antisemitism in their own countries and came to Israel after the massacre to show solidarity, had refrained for nearly two years from taking action even when it was clear the war served only to preserve his coalition – they were accused by him of bowing to "biased media," "terror," and Islam.

His entourage, dominating two rows, gave him standing ovations after every other sentence. Even the cheerleading squad in the stands scraped together applause from here and there. Yet this only highlighted Israel's global isolation: Netanyahu and his foolish gadgets no longer matter. He is seen as a relic, a corrupt leader who allied with racist parties to survive in power.

Sara Netanyahu, center, poses for photos before her husband, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Sara Netanyahu, center, poses for photos before her husband, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) Credit: Richard Drew,AP 

Netanyahu offered no statement, however slight, indicating a move toward ending the war. For most citizens, longing for the return of the hostages, despite the known cost, he brought no news. The optimistic message came, as recently, from Donald Trump, who announced for the fourth or fifth time in recent days that a deal for the release of hostages and the end of the war was near (presumably based on his 21-point plan). 

The messianic annexation fantasies of the settlers in the West Bank and their representatives in the Knesset and government were cut short by one irritated statement: "I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Enough!" (Hence Netanyahu avoided repeating his familiar threat at the UN: "Unilateral steps will be met with unilateral steps.")

Meanwhile, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Netanyahu twice at a New York hotel before his departure to Washington, where he will meet the U.S. president. Something is clearly brewing. This was also evident from Trump's meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders, where he told them there would be no annexation. The next day, he sat alongside Turkish President Erdoğan at the White House and showered him with endless compliments.

People carry caricature heads of U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they march down 54th Street during a pro-Palestinian protest, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
People carry caricature heads of U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they march down 54th Street during a pro-Palestinian protest, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis) Credit: Angelina Katsanis/אי־פי 

And what will remain of a speech that might also be Netanyahu's farewell address to the UN? It will be drowned in the sea of news and remembered only for the grotesque theatrics that accompanied it – both in the hall and in his exit from the country. Internationally, he may have even caused further harm to Israel. Domestically, it was likely the launch of the campaign for the 26th Knesset. What could be better and more delightful than doing so in New York, in the English language so beloved by the orator?



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