Times a-changing – for the better for Israel

ANT KATZ with JTA

The above video is from the direct UNTV feed to which the Times of Israel added Hebrew subtitles. Read why this has been hailed as such a different and groundbreaking speech and send the page link to your friends and family. This is something everyone should see

NEW YORK – In his address to the crowd of international leaders at the United Nations in New York last week Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the audience that their governments at home were changing their views of Israel for the better.

“The change will happen in this hall because back at home your governments are rapidly changing their attitudes toward Israel, and sooner or later that’s going to change the way you’re voting on Israel in the UN,” he said after blasting the international body’s past condemnations of Israeli policy.

Netanyahu cited improved ties with African and Asian countries, but said relations with neighbouring countries were the most significant change.

“The biggest change in attitudes towards Israel is taking place elsewhere, it’s taking place in the Arab world,” he said, calling peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan “anchors of stability” in the Middle East.

Netanyahu said he welcomed “the spirit of the Arab Peace Initiative,” a nod to Saudi Arabia, which initiated the peace proposal that has not been accepted by Israel.

He mocked Abbas’ call to launch “a lawsuit against Britain” for signing the “infamous” Balfour Declaration – the 1917 letter that declared its support of Israel as the Jewish homeland.

Abbas had said in his speech to UN leaders that the declaration had “paved the road for the naqba”, an Arabic term referring to Israel’s victory in its War of Independence and the displacement of Palestinians that resulted. Netanyahu said it was as “absurd” as suing Abraham for buying land in Hebron in the Bible.

To watch and read about more speeches of Bibi Netanyahu on, in or about the United Nations, CLICK HERE  for the 18 related reads on this website.

But Netanyahu also said he was open to dialogue, inviting Abbas to speak in the Knesset and saying he would be open to speaking to the Palestinian parliament in Ramallah.

In his speech, which came a day after he sat down with President Barack Obama, Netanyahu also emphasised the strong bond between Israel and the United States.

“We never forget that that our most cherished alliance, our deepest friendship, is with the United States of America, the most powerful and most generous nation in the world,” he said, adding that while “the UN denounces Israel, the US supports Israel.” (JTA)