After nine months, one of the most difficult for Israel and its prime minister ever, Netanyahu left last night for an eight-day trip to the United States. Although he intends to work hard, it can be said that it will also be a double pleasure trip.
That's because, while it could have been avoided, Netanyahu and his people will remain in New York on Saturday. Unprecedentedly, after Rome, London and Paris, it will once again be a weekend for him and his wife abroad, in just nine months. Netanyahu has not dared in the past to act in such a wasteful and glamorous manner. But since this is the fourth time in a row, it's hard to believe that these are "schedule considerations."
Netanyahu. The demonstrations will accompany him to the Big Apple, Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
Second, like all human beings, leaders enjoy running away from local troubles abroad—especially when trouble rests on their shoulders. There, in the big world, the local media doesn't bother, the agenda is more varied than the gray routine in Israel, and when it comes to Netanyahu, there is also quite a bit of global admiration for him. And also, the demonstrations under the window... Well, this time they will actually accompany him to the Big Apple. See the inscription "Don't believe him" already above the UN building.
Influential actor
But beyond that, leaving for the United States certainly opens a new year for Netanyahu and brings him back to his home turf. Even if his standing has been damaged in the liberal media, Netanyahu is an influential player in American politics, above and beyond any other Israeli politician, and probably more than most world leaders.
His tour of the United States, his planned conversation with popular tycoon Elon Musk, meetings with Biden, Zelensky, Erdogan and other leaders, and of course his speech at the UN – a particular favorite of his status – are expected to bring some color back to Netanyahu's cheeks, somewhat forget about the legal reform, postpone the complications of the draft law by a few days and push aside Ben-Gvir's demands.
Biden. Lifting the boycott, photo: AP
Musk. Influential tycoon, photo: Reuters
When all these remain on the other side of the world, Netanyahu can return to his element – the political element. He will be at the heart of his conversation with US President Joe Biden, scheduled for Wednesday. The meeting removes from Netanyahu the stain of the ten-month boycott imposed on him by the White House. Beyond that, it is clear that the two will devote much of their conversation, inside and outside the room, to the possibility of an agreement with Saudi Arabia. Although this breakthrough seems distant and full of obstacles at the moment, the very talk of it is good for both sides. And it is not inconceivable that the issue of legal reform will also be on the agenda.
Zelenskyy's disappointment
Netanyahu will have a more complex conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is expected to be the most prominent and courted figure at the UN General Assembly. While the West embraces the leader of the war against the Russians closely, Netanyahu maintains Indian neutrality. Like Indian Prime Minister Modi, he has refrained from condemning the invasion of Ukraine. Zelensky has expressed his disappointment with Israel more than once or twice since the outbreak of the war, and it is not inconceivable that he will do so in a conversation tomorrow.
Just before Rosh Hashanah: Rabbi of Uman meets with Ukrainian President Zelensky // Photo: Paikhla
Zelenskyy. Was disappointed, and not for the first time,
Another intriguing meeting will be with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Although the two men have been in office for two decades, they have never met, and not by chance. Erdogan suckled anti-Semitism with his mother's milk, and only geopolitical constraints forced him to reconcile with Israel two years ago, so he should still be treated with caution.
Beyond these leaders, Netanyahu is expected to have side meetings with other personalities. This will be followed on Friday by the highlight – the speech at the UN General Assembly. In the past, the main challenges that accompanied Netanyahu on this occasion were external. This time, it is clear that domestic matters are at the center of his agenda, although it is not certain that this will be reflected in the speech.
Either way, one can be sure that he will talk about the Iranian threat, express a desire for peace with Saudi Arabia, and justify legal reform. This will not convince the demonstrators outside the UN building.
Erdogan. Forced reconciliation, photo: AP
France, Britain and China are out
The 78th UN General Assembly is the organization's first full-time post-COVID-<> meeting. Yes, even last year there were still old restrictions in the glass building. This year, Manhattan is already full of illegal immigrants who have flocked to it, and it will be filled even more with entourages that are already flooding it. If you're in the city this week, it's best to get around on foot or by subway – and by no means by car. You will be stuck in impossible traffic jams.
Out of 195 heads of state, 160 will attend the rally. Conspicuous by their absence will be the leaders of four of the five permanent members of the Security Council. The leaders of France, Britain, China and Russia have chosen to stay home, raising questions about how seriously they take the organization that purports to run the world.
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