PM to address UN amid mounting pressure on Israel over Gaza war; officials expect possible disruptions, with Arab envoys warned against walkouts or protest signs under UN rules.
The Israeli delegation to the United Nations General Assembly fears Arab states and pro-Palestinian countries will attempt to stage provocations during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech on Friday. Concerns include the possibility of ambassadors waving signs or walking out in protest. At last year’s gathering, several delegations left the hall as soon as Netanyahu began speaking.
Netanyahu’s speech is scheduled for 9 a.m. New York time (4 p.m. Israel). He will be the first speaker of the day, raising the possibility that some delegations will not attend or will try to disrupt. The UN has instructed that signs are prohibited and violators risk removal, as happened last year when then-ambassador Gilad Erdan held up a protest sign during Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s address.
A senior Israeli official said the atmosphere at the UN is “increasingly hostile toward Israel” and that preparations are being made for attempts to embarrass or disrupt the prime minister. (Read More)
