It is a busy week regarding news that affects Israel.
The UN General Assembly
The United Nations is currently in the midst of its 80th General Assembly, taking place from September 9 to 28. Its “High-Level General Debate” sessions began this week on September 23.
12 New Countries Recognize Palestinian Statehood
On Sunday, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal formally recognized a sovereign Palestinian State, followed on Monday by France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. San Marino did so on Tuesday. Japan indicated that its recognition is only a matter of time, and Saudi Arabia, one of the 145 countries to have already recognized Palestinian statehood, urged all countries to do the same.
UN’s Emergency Meeting Concerning Gaza
The United Nations scheduled an emergency meeting concerning Israel and the war in Gaza. Unfortunately, they scheduled it on a day when the subject of the meeting could not attend – on Rosh Hashanah. Israel said the scheduling was regrettable and would not attend due to the holiday.
Palestinian Authority by Webcam
Ahead of the assembly, the United States banned Palestinian delegates from entering the country. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the special summit on a two-state solution by webcam. Abbas praised the recognition of statehood as historic and courageous. He also condemned the October 7 massacre and said Hamas must surrender its weapons. Hamas seized political control of the Gaza Strip from the Palestinian Authority in 2007. He promised the Assembly that the PA would reform and hold elections aligned with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) charter. However, he did not mention that the PLO charter calls for violence, martyrdom, and the return of all the land currently known as Israel to a Palestinian state. Abbas addressed the General Assembly on Thursday in more detail.
President Trump at the Assembly
President Trump blasted Western countries that recognized a Palestinian state, saying the acknowledgments reward Hamas and encourage conflict. “‘Instead of giving in to Hamas’s ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message: Release the hostages now,’ Trump said, to applause in the chamber” (Times of Israel). He also criticized the UN as ineffective in negotiating peace and “not even coming close” to living up to its great potential.
Trump also met with leaders of eight Arab and Muslim nations, presenting a plan for ending the war, returning the hostages, and rebuilding Gaza under a non-Hamas ruling body. The nations welcomed the proposal, which they were briefed on ahead of time. They provided a written response “committing to be part of a peaceful solution for the region, based on Trump’s vision” while also criticizing Israel’s strikes on other countries in the region and acknowledging the importance of freeing the hostages, ending the war, and delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza (The Times of Israel).
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to address the Assembly on Friday, when he is expected to blast the recent wave of Palestinian statehood recognitions.
Meanwhile…
- Rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza this week
- Hamas released a propaganda video of hostage Alon Ohel
- Qatar said it will resume its mediator role between Israel and Hamas when Israel apologizes for its recent Doha strike targeting Hamas leaders
- 22 people were injured in the third Houthi drone attack on the southern Israeli city of Eilat in under two weeks
- The IDF published a video of Hamas fighters shooting from a Shifa Hospital building in Gaza
- Satellite images reveal Iran is rebuilding missile factories damaged during its 12-day war with Israel last June
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