The fact between the lies
What makes the annual session of the UN General Assembly held on 25th September special is the mass boycott by UN delegates of the embattled Israeli prime minister Netanyahu’s speech. It is not the first time that UN delegates have boycotted Netanyahu for his alleged role in the ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza. In 2024 and 2025, delegates and diplomats had walked out during Netanyahu’s speech. This time, the Israeli premier, wanted under an ICC arrest warrant, chastised the protesters as moral cowards. Unsurprisingly, he bragged about Israel’s military gains in Iran and claimed that Iran’s nuclear ambition was foiled forever.
Leave aside the reflections of the world on his propagandist speech. In fact, the mass boycott was a slap on his face by the countries that regard him as the architect of the Gaza genocide. The mass walkout clearly exhibits their rebuke towards Netanyahu and its government.
The bottom line is the lies Netanyahu said from the UN podium. Take his claim on the Iranian nuclear program. Neither the US strike nor the Israeli attacks in June 2025 have made any significant damage to Iran’s nuclear program, as confirmed by multiple observers. It had already shifted its stockpile of enriched uranium into an undisclosed location. They are said to be at the threshold of acquiring a nuclear weapon. That's why the US is still looking for a deal with Iran. If the entire nuclear facility were decapitated, then what's the relevance of a deal? If Iran lost everything, there would be no point in negotiation or a deal on the nuclear front. Talking about negotiation means they still have the capacity to develop the nuclear weapon and are also capable of striking enemy targets.
Given this fact, why the claim? Israel is heading to a crucial general election by end of next month. Netanyahu wishes to stir up national fervor and present himself as the strong leader who can protect Jews from the threats, though the claim is twice removed from reality. The same nationalistic feeling Mr. Trump always tries to trigger amongst his right-wing supporters. In a way what the right-wing Hindu stridently nationalist party in India, BJP, follows are the same steps.
The narrative is the same: terrorists are well-armed, and an imminent attack is highly likely; only we can protect you. Look at how Netanyahu presented Iran's ballistic missile program. He claimed that a ballistic missile attack would destroy the entire UN building, leading to widespread devastation. What should be done? The simple answer: Iran should not possess nuclear weapons or ballistic missiles.
Naturally, Israel has received applause from the US. Both countries initiated the war against Iran last year and have yet to resolve. They have not achieved their objectives and are increasingly concerned about finding an off-ramp policy. The US is exploring all options to defeat Iran kinetically but has not succeeded. Meanwhile, even as some European countries participated in the UNGA protest by walking out, several Muslim-majority nations remained seated, implicitly showing support for Israel or at least less disapproval of it. Although India endorses a two-state solution for the Palestinian issue, it did not partake in the walkout. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan also stayed in the hall. It may be noted that these Muslim-majority countries, except Azerbaijan, had already signed the Abraham Accords proposed by former US President Donald Trump and normalised their diplomatic relations with Israel.
It would also be pertinent to read with it the reports that Netanyahu had a secret meeting with the UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, better known as MBZ, on 27th September when the latter made a flash visit to Abu Dhabi. The meeting's real motive is unknown. However, it's reported that MBZ had already warned Israel of a possible Hamas attack on Israel before 7 October. Haaretz, Israeli newspaper, reports that Netanyahu failed to convey those warnings to the intelligence. Netanyahu wants MBZ to deny the reports that he had issued warnings earlier. Anyhow, suffice is to read that not all Arab countries have a uniform stance vis-a-viz the relations with Israel.