Netanyahu's Visit to the UN General Assembly: Isolation from Western Leaders and Diplomatic Crisis

The tension with Western countries due to Israel's attacks on Gaza and Lebanon and its practices in the occupied West Bank was reflected in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's contacts in New York, where he will attend the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. It was noteworthy that among the leaders Netanyahu will meet in New York, there are no leaders of Western countries, including the United States, that have developed good relations with Israel for many years. Netanyahu, who was unable to arrange a meeting with US President Donald Trump and whose meeting with Elon Musk was canceled, does not have an appointment with any political figure from the US in his schedule.

International isolation against Israel, which was faced with the recognition of the State of Palestine by the UN General Assembly by many countries, especially France, England and Canada, due to its attacks on Gaza last year, continued to increase this year as well. Before the elections to be held in the country on October 27, the Tel Aviv administration pushed the button to implement the illegal E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, where the attacks of the Israeli army and the Israelis who usurped Palestinian lands intensified.

The project, which aims to separate occupied East Jerusalem from the West Bank and separate the north and south of the West Bank, attracted the reaction of Western countries, especially England. Some of the 12 Western countries, including Britain, France and Canada, have decided to impose sanctions on illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, while others have expressed their intention to impose sanctions.

Tel Aviv responded to London's decision to impose sanctions on illegal Jewish settlements by closing the British consulate in Palestine in occupied East Jerusalem, removing its representatives from Kiryat Gat, ending the Palestinian Authority's participation in training activities for security forces, and banning 12 British citizens, most of whom are MPs, from entering the country.

In an environment where this tension with Israel was reflected in the speeches of Western leaders at the UN General Assembly, Netanyahu left the country on Thursday morning for his trip to New York, which was expected to last only a few hours.

In the news published before Netanyahu's trip to New York, the Israeli press stated that efforts were being made for the Prime Minister to meet with leaders on the margins of the UN General Assembly, but that this was difficult, and that Netanyahu may face protests in New York, as in previous years.

In its statement following the news, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office shared the meeting schedule, arguing that during Netanyahu's visit, "many world leaders requested meetings, but only some of these requests could be met due to his busy schedule."

In Netanyahu's program, which did not include meetings with the leaders of the USA and other Western countries, only the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama and Ethiopia, the Vice President of Colombia and the prime ministers of Greece, Slovenia and Papua New Guinea were seen.

Speaking about Netanyahu's trip to New York to attend the UN General Assembly, retired Ambassador Alon Liel, Israel's former Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: "There has never been such a humiliating visit to the UN for an Israeli Prime Minister." he said.

Liel evaluated that Israel's position in the international arena has worsened since October 2023 and that this situation depends on whether the "right wing" remains in power or not, and said, "Compared to before October 7, 2023, we are in a much weaker position in the international arena, including the Middle East." he said.

Liel stated that the real blow to Netanyahu was the decision of Western countries, especially Britain, France and Canada, to recognize the Palestinian state last year, rather than the decision to impose sanctions on illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Arguing that the real blow to Netanyahu, who went to the USA for the UN General Assembly this year, came from the Washington administration, the Ambassador said: "Netanyahu can meet with Argentinian and Greek leaders, but he cannot meet with any American politician or official. This means that not only the Europeans but also the Americans are avoiding him. I think this is the big blow; because the only country in the world that Netanyahu can go to is the USA. He is in a situation where he no longer feels comfortable even in the USA, he cannot go to New York, he cannot even stay there for the night."

Stating that Israel's position in the international arena has weakened further with the addition of the US attitude, Liel said, "This is definitely not a normal visit. Political objections against him, speeches against Israel at the UN and security are not normal. (Netanyahu) acts like an unwanted person even in the USA." he said.