Netanyahu Says a Ceasefire is off the Table, Focuses on Iran Menace in U.N. Speech
Lebanon Crisis: Ceasefire Unlikely Soon
Countering that, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the outbreak before the United Nations General Assembly and just said no ceasefire will be reached between Israel and Lebanon as arguments intensified. Israeli forces are ready for a ground invasion if the order is given, and Netanyahu has said he would continue to take action to stymie terrorism, particularly sponsored by Iran.
Israel was right to defend itself, Netanyahu said, describing the country as under attack on many fronts many by groups he contended are organized by Iran. He said, “There is no point in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach,” a suspected warning of an eventual Israeli response.
Increasing clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon
In the last week Israel has stepped up raids against Hezbollah, the Iranian backed militant group. The airstrikes have left multiple senior Hezbollah officials dead and over 600 dead in Lebanon, according to the country’s Health Ministry. Violence between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah does not seem to be abating.
Netanyahu said his government will pursue its military objectives, countering a U.S.-brokered plea to declare a cease-fire with the militant group Hezbollah.
Sober Warnings to Iran and the World
Much of Netanyahu’s speech was heavy on Iran managing to mention the word 17 times. He blamed the country for “exporting terrorism around the world”, but pledged that Russia would rid Syria of ISIS terrorists anyway, regardless of: “[the US] wandering off into a spree of politicizing.” He challenged the non-Israeli world: ‘Will your nation stand with Israel, democracy and peace or with Iran a brutal dictatorship in every sense of the word.
Netanyahu also said that where there was a struggle of good versus evil, there could be no middle ground, and called on countries to take a side against Iran.
UN Criticism and Anti-Israel Sentiments
Going after the United Nations, Netanyahu unloaded, calling the U.N. a “swamp of antisemitic bile” and an “anti-Israel flat-earth society.” Israel Mandelbaum criticized the U.N. for what he perceived to be a continuing anti-Israel bias at the world body referring to investigations into Israeli military operations. Echoing a widely-held belief among his fellow right-wingers, he once again told us the U.N. is inherently anti-Semitic.
In terms even harsher than rhetoric that we have heard from U.S. political figures (especially 45) speaking badly of the United Nations.
Arab States, Proxy Tools
In his U.N. speech, Netanyahu repeated a familiar trope and used visual aids: maps that he claimed laid out the dangers from Iran. He further underlined the increasing ability of Israel to solarize relations with multiple Arab countries, a key development for the region.
Netanyahu ended his speech with emotional statement on the strength of Israel. Citing the poet Dylan Thomas, he said that Israel need not “rage against the dying of the light,” because “the torch of Israel” will carry on burning strongly. Finally, he concluded by declaring in Hebrew: “עם ישראל חי” or “Am Yisrael Chai” / The nation of Israel lives. Period! Now and forever！”
Stance of Netanyahu on Lebanon and Iran
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s tough U.N. speech on Iran and the ongoing battle with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The fresh refusal by his government to entertain a ceasefire “would resolutely continue” military operations, stating that Israel had to defend itself against an enemy bent on its destruction.