Israel's global image has hit near rock bottom, an Israeli opposition party leader said Friday, also warning of a "real economic collapse" due to European sanctions and their impact on trade.
"Israel's standing in the world has reached an unprecedented low," Avigdor Liberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, said on social media company X, commenting on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's widely criticized address to the UN General Assembly in New York.
"For years, Israel benefited from the American veto at the UN Security Council. I believe that as long as (US President Donald) Trump remains president, the veto will continue to be available to us. Under the next president, whether Republican or Democrat, the reality could change," he added.
Liberman also addressed Israel's relations with the UK, saying Israel has been without an ambassador in London for a year, which he attributed to "intrigues in the Prime Minister's Office."
He warned of the economic repercussions of European sanctions, saying: "Sanctions on trade between Israel and the EU could bring about a genuine economic collapse."
In September 2025, the European Commission proposed suspending some trade privileges granted to Israel under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which would subject Israeli imports to tariffs instead of preferential treatment.
The commission said the proposal was made due to Israel's human rights violations, but it fell short of the required majority approval from member states needed for adoption.
The EU has also imposed sanctions on extremist Israeli settlers and organizations linked to them over violations of Palestinians' rights in the West Bank, with sanctions including asset freezes and travel bans on listed individuals.
This May, the EU added three individuals and four Israeli entities to its sanctions lists, while it said in September that measures taken in this context covered a total of 12 individuals and nine entities.
Commenting on Netanyahu's UN General Assembly speech, Liberman said: "The man, and along with him Israel, has become a pariah and a burden on the Western world."
Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday before a largely empty hall after delegations from several countries walked out in protest against Israel's genocidal war in the Gaza Strip and continued violations in the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, as large demonstrations took place across the city.
Liberman also called for a change in Israel's leadership in next month's elections, saying it was necessary. "On Oct. 27, the leadership that is leading Israel toward a diplomatic, security, and economic catastrophe must be replaced."
"The next government that we establish will restore Israel's standing in the United States and around the world," he added.
Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon also called Friday for Netanyahu's government to be replaced in the upcoming Knesset elections, saying this is necessary to "save the state from ruin."
"The government of lies, neglect and betrayal must be replaced on Oct. 27 to save the state from ruin," Ya'alon also said on X.
Commenting on Netanyahu's UN General Assembly address, Ya'alon said: "I counted his lies on my fingers. As usual, I stopped counting after ten."
He added: "Lies are not a personal problem but a strategic national problem, because without telling the truth, taking responsibility, investigating and drawing lessons, we have no future."
Ya'alon made similar criticism of Netanyahu's government last week over a Likud Party move to exclude Arab parties from running in the election, describing the government at the time as one of "neglect, betrayal and lies."
Netanyahu has headed the government since late December 2022 and is on trial in corruption cases in which he denies wrongdoing. Critics and Israel and elsewhere have suggested he is prolonging Israel's conflicts in order to delay a likely court conviction.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024 over accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.
