Netanyahu to address UNGA amid domestic election pressure and international criticism

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to deliver his 15th speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a moment that coincides with declining domestic support for his Likud party ahead of national elections later this year. Analysts say the address, which will be broadcast live across Israel, could be used by Netanyahu to reinforce his image as Israel’s chief international spokesperson and to underscore perceived threats from Iran.

The speech comes as Israel continues to confront repeated accusations at the UN of genocide and war crimes in Gaza and the occupied West West Bank. Israeli officials have long portrayed the United Nations as hostile, with former Israeli consul general Alon Pinkas describing the address as a way for Netanyahu to appear as standing up against the world. "He’s turned the event into some kind of national holiday in Israel," Pinkas told Al Jazeera.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s criticism of Israel has drawn additional attention, prompting Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon to call for the mayor’s arrest, alleging incitement against the city’s Jewish community. "Netanyahu is going into his UNGA speech with not one but both eyes focused firmly on the upcoming Israeli election," said Nimrod Goren, president of the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies.

U.S. support for Israel at the UN remains strong, with Washington having vetoed several Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza since the October 7 attacks. However, U.S. President Donald Trump’s absence from the trip has been noted by observers. Chatham House associate fellow Zizette Darkazally warned that the UN’s limited political role in the region is compounded by its reliance on member-state commitments and the longstanding veto system.

The upcoming address is expected to dominate Israeli media coverage and may influence public perception ahead of the election, while also highlighting the ongoing tension between Israel and the United Nations over the handling of the Palestinian territories.