Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a striking statement at the United Nations General Assembly by presenting two maps to illustrate his country’s perspective on global allies and adversaries. Holding up two maps during his speech, Netanyahu labeled Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen as a ‘curse’ while identifying India, Egypt, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia as a ‘blessing’. This sharp juxtaposition of nations highlights the evolving geopolitics of the Middle East and Israel’s strategic realignments.
The countries Netanyahu referred to as ‘blessings’ were marked in green on the map, while the nations he labeled as ‘curses’ were shaded in black. Notably, the map showed the controversial regions of West Bank and Gaza as part of Israel, as well as the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in 1967. This provocative portrayal has sparked discussions, with many analysts interpreting the gesture as part of Israel’s broader strategy to strengthen ties with Arab nations and corner Iran and Palestine.
The move comes against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. On October 7, Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel, sparking an escalation in hostilities. New Delhi condemned the initial attack, but has since called for a ceasefire, maintaining its longstanding support for a peaceful resolution to the Palestine issue. In contrast, Iran has openly supported Hamas, and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, has also engaged in clashes with Israel.
Netanyahu’s visual demonstration underscores Israel’s intent to deepen its alliances with countries like India and Saudi Arabia while isolating Iran and its regional allies. Many see this as a crucial step in Israel’s strategy to reshape the balance of power in the Middle East.