Netanyahu's instruction reportedly derived from an attempt to present a united front regarding the issues and maintain a cohesive message during the Israeli 'sdelegation stay at the assembly and Netanyahu's speech and meetings.
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Netanyahu is scheduled to leave for New York later Saturday and will leave for Washington on Monday, when he is to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
Earlier this week, the prime minister instructed Israeli diplomats to leave the UN General Assembly when Iran's new president, Hassan Rohani, addresses the gathering, noting the world "should not be fooled" by signs of moderation from Tehran.
Finance Minister Yair Lapid criticized the decision of Israel's official delegation to the UN – Minister Yuval Steinitz and Israel's Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor – to boycott Iranian President Hassan Rohani's address at the General Assembly on Tuesday, calling it a mistake.
"Israel shouldn't be portrayed as a serial objector to negotiations uninterested in peaceful solutions. We must make the Iranians be peace objectors. Leaving the UN Assembly is reminiscent of the ways Arab states behaved towards Israel."