In a Digital Age, Netanyahu Wields QR Code as a Weapon at UN

In a striking blend of ancient conflict and modern technology, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wielded a QR code as a weapon on the floor of the UN General Assembly. By asking viewers to scan the code, he attempted to digitally transport them to the horrors of October 7.
This move bypassed the filters of traditional media and diplomatic language, seeking to create a direct, visceral connection between the audience and the violence that precipitated the war. It was an act of digital warfare, aiming to shock and shape public opinion in real-time.
The tactic highlights a shift in political communication, where leaders use social media-friendly tools to plead their case directly to the global public, rather than relying on the closed channels of diplomacy. It is a recognition that the battle for hearts and minds is now fought online.
However, the gesture may have backfired. For critics, it was seen as a cynical and manipulative prop, a distraction from the nearly two years of subsequent devastation in Gaza. In a room that had already walked out on him, his digital weapon fired into empty space.