UNITED NATIONS, Sept 24 (Reuters) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mounted a forceful defense of Israel's actions in the region at the UN on Thursday (September 24) seeking to counter growing international isolation ahead of elections he could lose, as dozens of delegates streamed out.
With general elections less than five weeks away, Netanyahu spoke for about 40 minutes in what amounted to a campaign-style speech, broadcast live in evening prime time on all four of the main Israeli television channels.
Ahead of his speech, Netanyahu's government paid to place 500 pro-Israel and anti-Iran billboards and dozens of trucks carrying messages in support of Israel across Manhattan, Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
Netanyahu, who is seen losing power in opinion polls, showcased what he said was Israel's fight on seven fronts.
Israel's longest-serving prime minister, Netanyahu has in the past made a visual spectacle of his UN appearances, using charts, diagrams and props to warn of Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran says is for civilian purposes.
On Thursday, he held up a pager in reference to an attack that crippled Iran-backed Hezbollah members in Lebanon and showed a Starlink satellite internet receiver, which he said he would leave for the Iranian delegation.
"So when they inevitably defect, they too will be able to freely tell their story on social media," he said, adding that it was only a matter of time before the Iranian authorities would be toppled by the people.
Several hundred protesters gathered near the United Nations, with dozens blocking traffic and chanting, "Stop arming Israel, let Gaza live" and "Stop arming Israel, let Iran live." Police detained them.
The election campaign in Israel is unfolding amid mounting criticism of the country's Gaza war. Netanyahu was making a short visit to the US for his UN address and, unusually, without a planned meeting with US President Donald Trump, whom he praised during his speech.
"We will continue to defend our state. We will continue to win because we have no other choice." And added, "in this battle against the barbarians, we've had no greater partner than President Trump. I thank him. I thank him for his bold leadership."
Israel has faced deepening diplomatic isolation since launching its war in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attacks on Israel nearly three years ago.
Netanyahu is unable to travel to many countries because of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, issued against him and his then-defense minister as well as the then-military commander of Hamas in 2024.
Earlier this month, once-steadfast allies Britain, France and Canada announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which drew a muted response from Washington.
(Production: Roleen Tafakji. Editing: Roleen Tafakji. Writing: Antoni Slodkowski and John Irish)