Delegations from 77 countries walked out of the UN General Assembly hall before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address. The incident took place on Thursday at the UN headquarters in New York. Most seats in the hall appeared empty while Netanyahu was speaking.
Some delegations left the hall shortly before Netanyahu began his speech, while representatives from other countries were not in their seats from the very beginning.
The scene of the representatives walking out sparked widespread discussion on social media. Israeli media outlet Channel 14 described the event as a “humiliating” reaction for Israel, while Yedioth Ahronoth termed it a “dramatic protest.”
At the start of his speech, Netanyahu made sharp remarks directed at the representatives who had left. He called them “moral cowards” and told those remaining in the hall to leave as well. He later claimed that through self-defense, Israel was protecting not only itself but also the security of the nations whose representatives had walked out.
In a speech lasting approximately 40 minutes, Netanyahu spoke about the war in Gaza, the conflict with Iran, Israel’s security, and the regional situation. He denied allegations of genocide against Israel in Gaza. At the same time, he criticized Qatar and Turkey and stated that Israel would maintain control over the Golan Heights in Syria.
Protests were also held outside the UN in New York during Netanyahu’s speech. Demonstrators chanted slogans demanding an end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and a halt to arms supplies to Israel. Police detained several protesters.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian mission to the UN had previously called on representatives from various countries to stage a collective walkout. Their position was that leaving the hall during Netanyahu’s speech would send a message of protest against Israel’s policies and the war in Gaza. However, Israel has consistently rejected allegations of genocide and war crimes in Gaza. Netanyahu also dismissed these accusations as false in his address to the United Nations.
Sources: Middle East Monitor, Reuters, Al-Monitor, and ITV News.
