First day of United Nations General Assembly highlights criticism of Israel's regional activity
Belgium's Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City, US, September 22, 2026. (photo credit: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters) The opening day of the 81st UN General Assembly general debate highlighted Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation on Tuesday, as a succession of world leaders made the war in Gaza, Israeli policy in the West Bank, and Israeli activity across the region central themes of their speeches. Among the most prominent critics were Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The general debate opened on Tuesday, September 22, as part of the UN leaders’ week in New York.