In his first speech at the United Nations since Israel’s assault on Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of being the main source of instability in the Middle East. He used two maps to illustrate his points, labelling one set of countries as “The Curse” and another as “The Blessing.”
The map on the right highlighted countries like Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen in black, marking them as “The Curse.” On the left, the map showed countries such as Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and India in green, referring to them as “The Blessing.” Both maps depicted Palestinian territories—the West Bank and Gaza—as part of Israel.
During his speech, Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Iran: “If you strike us, we will strike you.” He said that Israel could reach any location in Iran and across the Middle East, highlighting the escalating tensions in the region.
Saudi Arabia’s inclusion in the “Blessing” category was significant. Before the recent escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hamas, the Biden administration was working on a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. This agreement was seen as potentially transformative for the region, involving a defense treaty with the US and concessions for Palestinians. However, Saudi Arabia has maintained that normalization hinges on the establishment of a Palestinian state, complicating the discussions further due to the ongoing conflict.
India’s presence on the green map reflects its evolving relationship with Israel under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While historically supportive of Palestinian self-determination, India has strengthened its ties with Israel, particularly in defence and technology, as part of a broader strategic realignment.
Egypt’s presence on the green map was expected. Since the 1979 peace treaty, Egypt has maintained a formal yet often strained relationship with Israel. Despite this “cold peace,” Egypt plays a vital role in regional stability, particularly concerning Gaza. The two nations have strengthened their cooperation in energy and security, with Egypt importing Israeli gas.
Sudan signed the Abraham Accords in 2021, a shift from its historically hostile stance towards Israel. The transitional government in Sudan sees normalization with Israel as a way to enhance its ties with the US and other regional powers, distancing itself from Islamist movements.
Netanyahu concluded his speech by urging Palestinians to stop promoting “anti-Jewish sentiment” and to reconcile with the Jewish state. This rhetoric comes amid ongoing military actions in the region.
