On September 21, 2023, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, arrived in New York City to deliver his annual address at the United Nations. Netanyahu, a customary speaker at the UN, traditionally discusses the state of Israel during these speeches. Before his appearance, he lodged at a hotel on Park Avenue in Manhattan, where he conducted meetings with US officials to prepare for his UN speech.
Outside the hotel, tensions rose as protestors gathered to voice their dissent against Netanyahu and his policies. Concurrently, supporters of Netanyahu also assembled, creating a divide along the street. Police presence was notable, and they were positioned between the opposing groups to maintain order.
Amidst this atmosphere, I was selected out of the group to have the unique opportunity to shake hands with the Prime Minister in a secured location. This encounter was significant as I planned a trip to Israel in the coming weeks.
During his address at the UN, Netanyahu focused on the historic Abraham Accords, drawing parallels to Parshas Reeh from the Torah. He emphasized the duality of blessings and curses, highlighting how blessings can transform into curses and vice versa.
However, on October 7, 2023, what was once perceived as a blessing became a curse, marking a significant turn of events. The possibility of normalization with a neighboring country, Saudia Arabia, crumbled, and Netanyahu may have been too optimistic that it would happen so quickly.
In an interview following his reelection, Netanyahu revealed his favorite biblical character, the tragic King Saul, shedding light on his personal beliefs and influences. The realization came after October 7th, one year later, as he vowed to eradicate Hamas. King Saul failed in his task to “root out the Amalek.” Will Bibi succeed in his mission to rectify his ancestor’s failure? I believe he will succeed because I shook his hand.