US President Barack Obama is slated to be the second speaker at the assembly, but many Jews will not get to hear him, seeing as his speech is held during Yom Kippur.
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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi will also address the assembly during Yom Kippur, whereas Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will leave to New York at the end of the Jewish day of fasting, and will give his speech on Thursday, following Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Last year, in his address to the assembly, Netanyahu turned to Abbas to start immediate negotiations: "President Abbas, why don’t you join me; we have to stop negotiating about the negotiations. Let’s get on with it. We have to negotiate peace.
Netanyahu will leave for NY at the end of Yom Kippur (Photo: EPA)
US President Obama's 2011 speech at the UN General Assembly was also focused on Israel-PA diplomacy, and was perceived as pro-Israeli. His 2012 speech, however, is expected to be focused on the threat of a nuclear Iran, and the angle from which he intends to address it is intriguing to many.
NY Protesters await. Ahmadinejad boarding flight to NY (Photo: AFP)
Another speech that draws international attention is that of Morsi. The question remains whether he will discuss the Camp-David Accord.
Ahmadinejad is arriving at the assembly as his country is more isolated and boycotted than ever. The content of his speech remains unclear, but there is no doubt as to his controversial presence in New York, probable to incite protests in front of the UN building and his hotel, rallied by activists against a nuclear Iran.
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