Opposition leader says Israel's global standing at all-time low

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - TEL AVIV — Israeli opposition leader Avigdor Liberman said on Friday that his country's global standing had reached an “unprecedented low,” warning of a “real economic collapse” because of European sanctions and their impact on trade.

“Israel’s standing in the world has reached an unprecedented low,” the Anadolu news agency quoted Liberman as saying.

“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, leader of the opposition Yisrael Beiteinu party, made the remarks in a post on X, commenting on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the UN General Assembly in New York.

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 came over what it described as the Israeli government’s violation of provisions concerning respect for human rights. The proposal, however, still required approval from member states and did not receive the majority needed for adoption.

The EU has also imposed sanctions on extremist Israeli settlers and organizations linked to them over violations against Palestinians in the West Bank, including asset freezes and travel bans on listed individuals.

In May 2026, 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 Thursday, Liberman said: “The man (Netanyahu), 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 called for a change in Israel’s leadership, 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.

Liberman’s remarks came 33 days before Israeli elections scheduled for October amid sharp domestic political debate over Netanyahu government policies, with opposition figures criticizing his UN speech while ministers and members of the governing coalition praised it.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

Since Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza began in October 2023, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and around 175,000 injured, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.