Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu delivered a speech yesterday (Friday) at the UN assembly in New York in front of representatives from various nations. He talked extensively about the advancing negotiations for a historic peace agreement with Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Netanyahu strongly criticized Iran and also addressed the Palestinian issue.
This speech comes after Prime Minister Netanyahu's diplomatic visit to the United States, during which he met with U.S. President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and several other world leaders. Among those present in the hall were the Prime Minister's wife, Sara Netanyahu, and their son Yair. Additionally, Minister of Economy Nir Barkat and Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman were also in attendance.
Netanyahu: "We are on the verge of a historic agreement with Saudi Arabia"
During the speech, the Prime Minister addressed the Palestinian issue and the Abraham Accords, stating: "I tried to make peace with the Palestinians; they are supposed to be a part of it. But it is not acceptable for them to veto the process with other Arab countries. I believe that peace with more Arab states will bring us closer to peace with the Palestinians." Netanyahu also added and emphasized, "The Palestinians make up only 2 percent of the Arab population in the world."
Following that, the Prime Minister referred to the numerous reports about the advancing negotiations for an agreement with Saudi Arabia and acknowledged, "We are on the verge of a historic peace agreement with Saudi Arabia." He then presented an image of the "Peace Map" in the Middle East, illustrating what it would look like if the agreement with Saudi Arabia were to be signed.
"We must return the sanctions on Iran"
Netanyahu continued his speech and shifted to the Iranian issue, saying, "We must pose a military threat against Iran; I will not let them possess nuclear weapons." He further added and criticized, "Iran will do everything in its power to undermine this historic peace. We must reinstate sanctions on Iran; the Western world needs to change its approach."
"Iran is a curse to the entire world; they bring a curse upon their own people, our region, and the world as a whole. We need to support the Iranian citizens who oppose the regime; they can be partners in achieving peace."