Before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could make Israel’s case to the United Nations on Thursday, scores of diplomats got up and left. They did not walk out after hearing his defense of Israel’s conduct in Gaza. They walked out before hearing it. The timing was almost too perfect.

For nearly three years, a familiar formula has accompanied much of the world’s criticism of Israel: “Oct. 7 was horrific, but …”

Recommended Stories

Oct. 7, two years later: The complexity of grief, rage, and recognition

Netanyahu rejects Hamas ceasefire terms, vows to continue war efforts

UK suspends some arms sales to Israel over possible violations of humanitarian law