The map on Netanyahu's right hand showed Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen painted in black, terming them as "The Curse". In his left hand, the map showed Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and India painted in green. These countries were termed "The Blessing". The Golan Heights region in Syria was also shown as being part of Israel.
The move by Netanyahu, who has a history of using props at the United Nations General Assembly, was being seen as Israel's bid to emphasise its growing relations with neighbouring Arab countries.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has used an address to the United Nations General Assembly to warn there is "no place" Israel's weapons cannot reach in the Middle East.
As calls for ceasefires in his country's wars against Hamas and Hezbollah continue, Mr Netanyahu told Friday's sitting in New York his country "would not rest until our citizens can return safely to their homes".
The Israeli leader also took aim at Iran, which backs the militant groups his country is fighting with.
"If you strike us, we will strike you," he warned.Iran's delegation was not in the room for Mr Netanyahu's address.
Dozens of diplomats left the room when the Israeli leader started speaking, including those from Saudi Arabia, whom Mr Netanyahu lavished much praise on during his address.
Before the war in Gaza began, Israel and Saudi Arabia had been edging closer to normalising relations, in what would have been a significant boost for Israel's PM.
My Netanyahu's speech came a day after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the General Assembly that the war in Gaza must stop immediately.
"This madness cannot continue. The entire world is responsible for what is happening to our people," he said in his speech.
A large, grand room, with a man speaking in front of a large crowd visible in the distance
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 79th United Nations General Assembly this week. (Reuters: Brendan McDermid)
He also said that when the war eventually ends and a permanent ceasefire is declared, the Palestinian Authority (PA), which he leads, should take control of the Gaza Strip.
Currently, the PA oversees parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, while Hamas has political control in Gaza.
Mr Netanyahu said a "civilian administration committed to peaceful coexistence" should be installed in Gaza.
Of people who believe Hamas should remain in power in Gaza whenever the war ends, Mr Netanyahu told the General Assembly on Friday: "Imagine allowing the defeated Nazis in 1945 to rebuild Germany."
"It's inconceivable, it's ridiculous. It didn't happen then, and it's not going to happen now."
During his address, Mr Abbas said Israel must withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip.
"We refuse the establishment of buffer zones or taking any part from Gaza," he said. "We will not allow a single centimetre of Gaza to be taken."
Mr Netanyahu's address to the General Assembly came against a backdrop of tense negotiations for a ceasefire, which would see hostilities between the Israel Defense Forces and Hezbollah paused for several weeks, and the war in Gaza end permanently.
Talks relating to Gaza have been at a deadlock for months, while Mr Netanyahu snubbed a proposal for a temporary halt to hostilities with Hezbollah, drawn up by the United States and France.
The conflicts have raged since October 7 last year, when Hamas militants stormed Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages, according to Israel.
Subsequently, Israel's military has destroyed large parts of the Gaza Strip, killing more than 41,000 according to Palestinian health authorities.
This week, Israel has dramatically increased its air strikes in Lebanon too, where the health ministry says more than 600 people have been killed and thousands injured since Monday
