Netanyahu's UN Speech Fails to Counter Domestic Israeli Criticism

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a strong speech at the United Nations defending Israel against its detractors. However, the article argues that such a speech, however impressive, cannot overcome the reputational damage being inflicted by critical reporting within Israel, particularly from the newspaper "Haaretz".

The author contrasts Netanyahu's UN address with a 1991 speech by Yitzhak Shamir at the Madrid Conference, noting that both leaders emphasized the deep connection between the Jewish people and their land. Netanyahu's speech also addressed the Israeli left's willingness to cede territory for a Palestinian state, a sentiment the author links to a failure to learn from the Gaza disengagement. The article also criticizes figures like Avigdor Lieberman and Golan for proposing solutions that involve transferring areas of the West Bank to Jordanian control or dismantling settlements.

The core of the article's critique is directed at "Haaretz", which it labels as a "far-left" and "defeatist" publication. The author cites several "Haaretz" opinion pieces, including one by Amos Shoken, that allegedly accuse Israel of "cruel apartheid" and "genocide" and call for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Another article is criticized for downplaying the October 7th Hamas attack by focusing on the number of casualties rather than the nature of the violence, and for accusing Israel of attempting to deceive the world about its alleged crimes.

The author expresses dismay that these criticisms are coming from a Hebrew-language newspaper whose English version allegedly fuels anti-Israel sentiment in international forums. The article further points to "Haaretz"'s coverage of a Palestinian resident of Jaffa accused of supporting terrorism, its justification of a documentary alleging Israeli war crimes, and its publication of articles that criticize Jewish tradition and Israel's religious character.

Ultimately, the article concludes that while Netanyahu's UN speech was powerful, it is insufficient to repair the damage caused by what it describes as a "toxic propaganda harvest" against Israel and Judaism, largely originating from within Israel itself, with "Haaretz" serving as a prominent example.