Netanyahu’s Aikido move against Tamim as a case study in reframing an assault

By Khaled Salih

Tamim and Netanyahu at the UNGA

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) remains arguably the most famous diplomatic stage where the rhetoric deployed by world leaders often transcends mere policy outlines and becomes sophisticated strategic theatre. The highly anticipated addresses by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel at the 79th Session in September 2024 provided a textbook case for what should be termed the Aikido of diplomacy. While Sheikh Tamim utilized the podium for a full force frontal assault, delivering a highly specific and personalised attack against Israel’s leadership and actions, Netanyahu executed a flawless strategic counter-move: a masterful application of the diplomatic Irimi-nage(Entering Throw). By employing a complete omission of Qatar and a sophisticated reframing of the conflict onto a global existential stage, Netanyahu effectively neutralised Tamim’s aggressive, specific accusations and dictated the terms of the resulting international debate.