Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel made a controversial and provocative move during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday by wearing a QR code linking to graphic footage of the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 27, 2023. The choice to prominently display the code during his address has drawn both international attention and criticism, with many observers questioning the appropriateness of such a visual in a diplomatic context.
Netanyahu’s decision to show the QR code was intended to highlight the gravity and brutality of the attacks, which led to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The footage, which includes harrowing images of the violence and destruction, is a direct reference to the Hamas attacks that marked the start of the war. Supporters of Netanyahu argue that the display was meant to reaffirm the suffering of the Israeli people and assert the country’s stance on the conflict, while critics argue that the graphic content could be seen as a provocation rather than a diplomatic gesture.
The international community has responded with a mix of reactions. Some members of the U.N. have expressed concern over the use of graphic material in a formal setting, while others have supported the Prime Minister’s efforts to underscore the human cost of the conflict. The debate surrounding the QR code underscores the broader tensions in the region and the challenges of representing such sensitive historical moments in a global forum.