Benjamin Netanyahu States India as Blessing

In his UN address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly blamed Iran for fueling violence in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. He justified Israel’s military actions in Lebanon and Gaza as necessary for national defense.

Holding two symbolic maps, Netanyahu illustrated his stance: the Middle East map in his right hand highlighted Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen in black, labeled “The Curse,” while the map in his left hand, with Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and even India painted in green, was termed “The Blessing.” Notably, both maps conspicuously excluded any mention of Palestine.

Netanyahu emphasized Iran’s influence as the driving force behind regional conflict, pointing to Iran’s military and financial support for Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen. He argued that these groups, backed by Tehran, were destabilizing the region and that Israel’s military operations were necessary to defend against these threats.

The countries highlighted in green, including Egypt, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia, represented current or potential allies, some of which had normalized relations with Israel or were on the path to doing so. Netanyahu’s speech framed the conflict as a battle between Iran’s regional influence and a coalition of nations working toward peace and stability.

“If you strike us, we will strike you,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran during his address to the UN General Assembly. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s military reach could extend across the Middle East if necessary. His speech, however, sparked protests, with many diplomats walking out.

Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions in Lebanon and Gaza, labeling them as necessary responses to Iranian aggression. He specifically targeted Hezbollah, stating, “As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has no choice but to remove this threat.”

In contrast, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi condemned Netanyahu’s actions, warning that he was pushing the region toward an open war. Safadi proposed a solution, offering to guarantee Israel’s security if the country allowed the creation of an independent Palestinian state. “We are all ready to guarantee Israel’s security if they end the occupation and allow a Palestinian state to emerge,” Safadi said, stressing that Netanyahu’s rejection of the two-state solution was creating instability.

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Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, a key player on Netanyahu’s “green blessing” map, had been in negotiations to normalize ties with Israel before the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023. The deal, brokered by the Biden administration, included a defense pact with the U.S., with Saudi Arabia agreeing to normalize relations in exchange for concessions to the Palestinians.

Saudi Arabia has consistently maintained that normalizing relations with Israel is not possible without the establishment of a Palestinian state. The recent conflict between Hamas and Israel has only made these discussions more difficult. However, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s inclusion of Saudi Arabia in the “green zone” on his map signals that he remains optimistic about future relations with Riyadh, or at least projects this publicly.

Egypt

Egypt’s inclusion on Netanyahu’s “blessing” map was expected. Since the 1979 peace treaty, Egypt and Israel have had a formal, albeit often strained, relationship. Despite what many call a “cold peace,” Egypt remains crucial for regional stability, especially concerning Gaza. In recent years, energy and security cooperation between the two nations has grown. Egypt imports Israeli gas and helps manage Gaza’s security through a jointly enforced blockade. While Egypt may not endorse Israel’s tactics in Gaza, its interests in containing Islamist extremism and securing its borders drive continued cooperation.

Sudan

Sudan’s signing of the Abraham Accords in 2021 marked a significant shift in its stance toward Israel. Historically hostile under former President Omar al-Bashir, Sudan now uses normalization to strengthen ties with the U.S. and regional powers like the UAE, distancing itself from Islamist movements in the process.

India

India’s inclusion on the green “blessing” map was a reflection of how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has changed the country’s relationship with Israel. India and Israel have become closer in recent years, particularly in the fields of technology and defense. India has always supported Palestinian self-determination, but as part of a larger geopolitical realignment, its relations with Israel have grown stronger.