Dozens of delegates walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall in New York as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address. Netanyahu defended Israel's military campaigns in Gaza, Iran, and elsewhere in the Middle East. He told the assembly that Israel would continue fighting, saying, "We're going to win. We have no other choice." The walkout was reportedly encouraged by the Palestinian Mission to the UN.
The delegates' walkout was marked by empty seats assigned to representatives from various countries, including Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Algeria, Iran, Malaysia, Montenegro, and Kyrgyzstan. Jordan, Libya, the Marshall Islands, and Mauritius were also reported to have empty seats. However, some countries had at least one representative remaining in the hall, making it difficult to establish a definitive country-by-country list of those who walked out.
Netanyahu rejected accusations that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, stating, "Israel didn't commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide." His comments came hours after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the General Assembly through a video link after being denied a US entry visa. Abbas accused Israel of subjecting Palestinians to "killing, destruction, starvation, and attempts at displacement, as well as a genocidal war" in Gaza.
Abbas also criticised the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying Israeli policies threatened the existence of Palestinians on their homeland and jeopardised the internationally backed two-state solution. Netanyahu used his speech to attack several countries and political leaders who have criticised Israel. He described Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a "tyrant" and accused him of supporting Hamas.
Erdogan had told the UN earlier in the week that the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank "deeply offends the conscience of humanity." Responding to Netanyahu, Turkish presidential communications director Burhanettin Duran said the Israeli leader's use of the UN podium to make what he described as "baseless accusations" against Turkey and Erdogan was inconsistent with the organisation's ideals of peace, law, and dialogue.
Netanyahu also criticised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has been critical of Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. "Since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York," Netanyahu said. Mamdani's office responded by accusing Netanyahu of using his speech to repeat what it described as "baseless lies" about Israel's conduct in Gaza.
Netanyahu also praised US President Donald Trump for what he called his "bold leadership," referring to the joint US-Israeli military action against Iran. The speech was marked by controversy, with delegates walking out and critics responding to Netanyahu's comments. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Israel and its critics at the international level.
Key points
- Dozens of delegates walked out during Netanyahu's address to the UN General Assembly.
- Netanyahu defended Israel's military campaigns in Gaza, Iran, and elsewhere in the Middle East.
- The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Israel and its critics at the international level.
