JERUSALEM (AP) – In a speech to the UN, where world leaders gather, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a history of turning his eyes to props and visual aids to drive his points into the home. But even the high level of showmanship of Israeli leaders, this year’s speech has taken things to a new level.
In a speech moment on Friday morning, Netanyahu spread out a map entitled “The Curse” (all the caps were his). There, they used fat markers neatly, checking out the countries where Israel killed its enemies during the war throughout the region for nearly two years.
He then spoke to the audience with multiple choice questions drawn on the big cards. “Who is screaming for death to America?” he asked, rereading the names of the Hooty militias in Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemen. The answer is “all the above” familiar to those who take a standardized test.
it was Vintage Netanyahuover the years, they have shared maps, photos, and in one instance, crude cartoons of the atomic bomb when they opposed Iran’s nuclear program.
Next was the QR code. He showed up wearing giant buttons with one of the codes that advertisers often use, and popularized in restaurants that used them during the communal pandemic era, preventing contagious customers from asking them to touch the menu. Code linked to the website about the attack by Hamas, the hostages they filmed, and the attacks on Israeli perspectives on October 7, 2023.
Even before he went to the podium, Netanyahu’s office said it had installed giant speakers on trucks along the Gaza border to blared speeches to people inside. He said his intended audience included the Israeli hostage being held in Gaza. “We haven’t forgotten you,” he said.
His office later claimed that Israeli forces had hacked the cell phones of Gaza people, including Hamas operatives, to confirm that they had heard him. In Gaza, Palestinians said they were unable to hear the speech and there were no immediate reports of calls being hacked.
And it is doubtful that many minds have changed at the UN General Assembly. Dozens of diplomats came out of the hall to protest the Gaza War before their speech.
However, Netanyahu had other audiences in his mind. That is, he had a deep-divided supporter base for Israel and President Donald Trump, which he was to meet at the White House on Monday.
With a colorful and rebellious speech rejecting international criticism of Israel’s policy, Netanyahu portrayed himself as a master showman, communicator and politician at an increasingly increasing number of countries. It is considered a pariah. And a long list of tributes to Trump could help clear the path of Monday’s smooth meeting.
These measures made the speech a success for Netanyahu.
