Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparked a confused internet reaction to his United Nations speech - which involved him drawing a red line across a cartoon bomb.

netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shows his bomb illustration as he describes his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions

The speech was intend to focus the world's attention on Iran's nuclear programme, urging the world to draw a "red line" on the country's uranium enrichment programme - to prevent it acquiring a weapon.


Benjamin Netanyahu
There is only one way to peacefully prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons - by placing a clear red line

Holding a childlike drawing of a bomb, with a lit fuse, Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly: "At this late hour, there is only one way to peacefully prevent Iran from getting atomic bombs and that's by placing a clear red line on Iran's nuclear weapons program.

"Red lines don't lead to war; red lines prevent war. Iran uses diplomatic negotiations to buy time to advance its programme.

"The international community has tried sanctions, has passed some of strongest sanctions. Oil exports have been curbed, and the Iranian economy has been hit hard. But we must face the truth that sanctions have not stopped Iran's nuclear drive."

He stressed that the US and Israel were in "discussions" on the issue.

The reaction was mixed at best to the speech tactic, with many saying it had diverted attention from the real issues of a potential war with Iran and potential Palestinian statehood.


Jeffrey Goldberg
Netanyahu's bomb cartoon is the Middle East equivalent of Clint Eastwood's chair.


The Jack
This Netanyahu chap is hilarious. Give him a 'smiley face' for his oral presentation.

But others thought the dramatic gesture had attracted exactly the kind of intention the Prime Minister had intended, putting the potential threat from Iran back on the agenda.


David Burge
The left is more offended by Netanyahu's clip art of a bomb than they are by Iran's actual bombs.


kirsten powers
Netanyahu is giving the kind of speech Obama should have given at the UN.

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  • Benjamin Netanyahu

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shows an illustration as he describes his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions during his address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • Mahmoud Abbas

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shows an illustration as he describes his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions during his address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012.(AP Photo/Richard Drew)

  • Mahmoud Abbas

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shows an illustration as he describes his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions during his address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

  • Benjamin Netanyahu

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shows an illustration as he describes his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions during his address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

  • World Leaders Attend UN General Assembly

    NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, addresses the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2012 in New York City. The 67th annual event gathers more than 100 heads of state and government for high level meetings on nuclear safety, regional conflicts, health and nutrition and environment issues. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

  • Benjamin Netanyahu

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shows an illustration as he describes his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions during his address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • Benjamin Netanyahu

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shows an illustration as he describes his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions during his address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

  • Benjamin Netanyahu

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shows an illustration as he describes his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions during his address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012.(AP Photo/Richard Drew)

  • Benjamin Netanyahu

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shows an illustration as he describes his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions during his address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • Benjamin Netanyahu

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shows an illustration as he describes his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions during his address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • UN-GENERAL ASSEMBLY-ISRAEL

    Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel speaks during the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations in New York on September 27, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/GettyImages)

  • World Leaders Attend UN General Assembly

    NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Benjamin Netanyahu (C), Prime Minister of Israel, prepares to address the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2012 in New York City. The 67th annual event gathers more than 100 heads of state and government for high level meetings on nuclear safety, regional conflicts, health and nutrition and environment issues. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

  • Benjamin Netanyahu

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel addresses the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

  • A reflection of a television screen shows IsraelÂ’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters while a person looks on in Tel Aviv, Israel,Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

  • Benjamin Netanyahu

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • Benjamin Netanyahu, Ron Prosor

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, foreground, of Israel, addresses the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. Ron Prosor, Israel's UN ambassador sits in as General Assembly president. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

  • World Leaders Attend UN General Assembly

    NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: The Iranian delegation table sits empty as Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, addresses the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2012 in New York City. The 67th annual event gathers more than 100 heads of state and government for high level meetings on nuclear safety, regional conflicts, health and nutrition and environment issues. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

  • UN-GENERAL ASSEMBLY-ISRAEL

    The seats of Iran's delegration sit empty as Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, addresses the 67th United Nations General Assembly meeting September 27, 2012 at the United Nations in New York. AFP PHOTO / DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/GettyImages)

  • ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN-CONFLICT-DEMO

    Israeli left wing protesters hold anti-Palestinian slogans in Tel Aviv on September 27, 2012 during a demonstration against the declaration of a Palestinian state. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas condemned 'catastrophic' Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, which he said were killing hopes for a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Abbas of slandering his country as the pair gave rival addresses to the UN General Assembly. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/GettyImages)

WATCH: Netanyahu's UN Speech