At UN, Netanyahu Shows Maps: India ‘The Blessing’

In his first United Nations speech since the Gaza war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu displayed two maps, depicting one group of countries as “The Blessing” and another as “The Curse.” Both maps portrayed Palestinian territories—the West Bank and Gaza—as part of Israel.

On Netanyahu’s right was a map that showed Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen shaded in black, labeling them as “The Curse.” On his left was a map of countries painted in green, including Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and India, labeled as “The Blessing.” Interestingly, the Golan Heights in Syria was also shown as part of Israel.

Netanyahu’s move is seen as Israel’s attempt to highlight its growing relations with neighboring Arab nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first world leaders to condemn Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. However, India has maintained its support for a ceasefire and the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

While holding the maps, Netanyahu emphasized that the world must choose between a “blessing” and a “curse” as Israel continued its military strikes against Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon.

Netanyahu’s Warning to Iran

In a bold address, Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Iran, known for arming regional militias, urging the international community to stop appeasing Tehran. “I have a message for Tehran: If you strike us, we will strike you,” Netanyahu declared.

“There is no place in Iran that Israel’s long arm cannot reach, and this holds true across the Middle East,” he added.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have been on the rise, particularly following the assassination of Hamas’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran in July. In April, Iran directly attacked Israel after an assault on the Iranian embassy compound in Syria.

Netanyahu also sent a message to the Palestinians, asserting that they must cease their hatred of Jews and come to terms with the existence of the Jewish state.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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