BICOM

Israeli politicians and media commentators were quick to respond following yesterday’s speech by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations’ (UN) General Assembly, which focused firmly on thwarting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Leader of the Opposition and Labour Party head Shelly Yachimovich told the Walla news website that although she and Netanyahu agree on the need to stop Iran’s uranium enrichment, “The question is, what’s the best and most effective way to do this.” Yachimovich asked, “Is it by way of the isolationism displayed by the prime minister in front of the world? I think not.” Isaac Herzog MK, who is challenging Yachimovich for the Labour Party leadership also criticised Netanyahu, saying “He did not address the possibility, even if it is slight, of an actual strategic change in Iran.” Meanwhile, Meretz leader Zahava Gal-On regretted Netanyahu’s “scant reference” to the peace process.

However, Moshe Feiglin, considered a vocal right wing element within Netanyahu’s Likud Party praised Netanyahu’s address, saying “I welcome and reinforce Netanyahu’s affirmation that Israel will act against the Iranian threat even if it has to do so alone.” Shas MK Eli Yishai, a former party leader also endorsed Netanyahu’s speech, saying “The body was the body of the prime minister, but the voice was that of all of Israel.”

In the Israeli media, all headlines focus on the speech and in particular Netanyahu’s pledge that Israel will act against Iran alone if needed. Sima Kadmon in Yediot Ahronot is one of several commentators who praised the case made by Netanyahu, saying, “He convinced me.  If the Israeli prime minister was addressing the Israeli public… he achieved his goal.” However, Kadmon wonders whether “the demand for an unconditional [Iranian] surrender will not be acceptable to Obama,” given the context of a war-weary Western world. Shalom Yerushalmi in Maariv similarly asks “whether we still have today the ability to act alone” given the West’s reluctance towards conflict.