Netanyahu's UN Speech Overshadowed by Israeli Strike on Hezbollah

On September 22, 2024, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) while Israeli forces conducted a strike on Hezbollah in Lebanon. This juxtaposition of events highlighted the ongoing tensions in the region.

Netanyahu's speech at the UNGA, established in 1945, focused on criticizing Iran and its allies. He emphasized Israel's right to self-defense against what he termed "savage enemies" seeking Israel's "annihilation." The Israeli leader, who has served as Prime Minister for a total of 16 years, used visual aids to illustrate his points about Iran's influence in the Middle East.

"I have a message for the tyrants of Tehran: If you strike us, we will strike you. There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach, and that is true of the entire Middle East."

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties. Israel's military actions in Gaza, which began 11 months ago, have led to over 41,000 Palestinian deaths and displaced more than 2.1 million people. The situation along the 120-kilometer Israel-Lebanon border has also escalated, with daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, founded in 1985.

Palestinian and Lebanese representatives also spoke at the UNGA. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, called for an end to the fighting in Gaza and Lebanon. Abdallah Bou Habib, Lebanon's Foreign Minister, attributed the crisis to ongoing occupation issues.

In other diplomatic news, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's President and former comedian, met with both former U.S. President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden to discuss support for Ukraine. The meetings occurred as the United States, the largest provider of military aid to Ukraine, continues its assistance in the ongoing conflict with Russia, which began on February 24, 2022.

Japan, the world's third-largest economy by nominal GDP, has elected a new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Shigeru Ishiba, who previously served as Minister of Defense from 2007 to 2008, is set to become the next Prime Minister. The LDP has dominated Japanese politics since 1955.

Austria, a neutral country since 1955, is preparing for parliamentary elections on September 29, 2024. The far-right Freedom Party, founded in 1956, is leading in polls, followed closely by the Austrian People's Party, established in 1945.

In lighter news, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer introduced a new kitten named Prince to 10 Downing Street, continuing a tradition dating back to the 1500s. Meanwhile, a Finnish zoo announced the early return of two giant pandas to China, citing financial difficulties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, declared by the WHO on March 11, 2020, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.