Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address the UN General Assembly on Friday, days after several Western nations recognised a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu criticised the decision by France, the United Kingdom and others to recognise a Palestinian state, describing it as a reward for the Islamist Hamas organisation following the October 7 attacks.
The Israeli leader is scheduled to speak on the fourth day of the General Debate alongside representatives from China, the United Kingdom and other countries.
The debate will run until Monday, with a pause on Sunday, and will feature around 150 heads of state and government, as well as other national representatives.
While Russia’s war in Ukraine, the UN’s financial challenges and the global role of the United States have featured prominently, this year’s debate has been dominated by the conflict in Gaza amid Israel’s offensive in Gaza City.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking via video link on Thursday after being denied a US visa, described Israel’s actions in the territory as genocide.
He maintained, however, that a Palestinian state could coexist peacefully alongside Israel without Hamas involvement, signalling that a two-state solution remains his objective despite opposition from Netanyahu’s government.
(dpa/NAN)