I
sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a largely empty United Nations General Assembly on Thursday after dozens of national delegations walked out of the chamber as he took the podium, protesting Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its policies in the occupied West Bank and the wider region.
Netanyahu entered the chamber to deliver his address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. As he approached the podium, representatives from numerous countries stood and left the hall, while chants and protests could be heard inside the chamber. The number of countries that left in protest is estimated at 77.
The delegations were protesting Israel’s genocide in Gaza, its continued attacks despite calls for a ceasefire, settlement and land seizure activities in the occupied West Bank, and Israeli strikes against Syria and Lebanon, according to the report.
Delegations from countries including Türkiye, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Senegal, Pakistan, Sudan, Iran and Indonesia were among those that walked out as Netanyahu began speaking. Other countries, including Spain, South Africa, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria and Brazil, did not attend the session, according to the report.
As the delegations departed, Netanyahu continued his speech before a chamber that was almost completely empty. The visitors’ gallery, however, saw supporters of Israel, who applauded and cheered during parts of his address.
The walkout marked the third time Netanyahu has faced such a protest at the UN General Assembly since the Oct. 7, 2023.
Despite the mass walkout, Netanyahu delivered an extended address in which he defended Israel’s genocide in Gaza and criticized opponents of his government.
Speaking about Israel’s military action against Iran, Netanyahu said the decision to attack Iranian nuclear facilities had been among the easiest decisions he had made as prime minister, despite acknowledging that carrying out the attacks had been difficult.
He also addressed the Golan Heights, rejecting assertions that the territory is Syrian land. Netanyahu argued that the area, which Israel has occupied since 1967, has historical ties to the Jewish people.
Netanyahu also defended Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank while addressing violence against Palestinians. He characterized attacks on Palestinian homes and property as the work of a small number of individuals and argued that Israeli settlers involved in such incidents were otherwise law-abiding citizens.
He further rejected criticism of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, saying the Israeli army protects civilians and describing it as “the most moral army in the world.”
Netanyahu also targeted New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has described Netanyahu as responsible for the destruction in Gaza. Referring to attempts to prevent him from addressing the UN, Netanyahu said he had been challenged and sought to be silenced.
During the speech, Netanyahu also made claims concerning Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
He brought a Starlink device to the UN and said he would leave it for Iranian officials to use, while arguing that Iran’s government would eventually be overthrown.
During his remarks on Iran, a photograph of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a 2020 US drone strike in Baghdad, was visible in the Iranian delegation’s seating area.
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The demonstrations against Netanyahu were not limited to the General Assembly chamber.
Large groups of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Manhattan as Netanyahu spoke, calling for an end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and criticizing US support for Israel.
Security restrictions prevented protesters from approaching the UN headquarters. Hundreds gathered near First Avenue and 39th Street, where they chanted slogans including “No to war, no to weapons, freedom for Palestine” and “Netanyahu, you can’t hide, we will prosecute you for genocide.”
Jay Saper of the Jewish Voice for Peace organization told Anadolu that more than 400 people were participating in a demonstration accompanying a convoy moving toward the UN.
Saper said the protesters were there to oppose Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza, including attacks on homes and hospitals. He also criticized the US government for continuing to provide weapons to Israel, arguing that Washington should end what he described as its involvement in the conflict.
New York City Council member Diana Moreno, who supported the demonstration, also criticized Netanyahu and said protesters were sending a clear message about his conduct.
Moreno said US taxpayers should not be financing what she described as an ethnic-cleansing project or attacks on Iran and Lebanon. She also emphasized the equal value of children’s lives regardless of where they are born.
Several protesters were detained after blocking a road four or five blocks from the UN headquarters. Police deployed in large numbers to the area, and detained demonstrators were seen being placed on two police buses while continuing to chant slogans in support of Gaza.
According to US media reports cited by Anadolu, those detained included Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon, New York City Council member Chi Osse, New York congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, comedian Caleb Hearon, actresses Hannah Einbinder and Cynthia Nixon, and former US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.
A separate demonstration was held outside the Israeli Consulate near Second Avenue and 42nd Street in Manhattan. Activists from the group Standing Together carried signs criticizing Netanyahu and calling for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza.
The protests inside and outside the UN highlighted the deep divisions surrounding Israel’s military campaign and Netanyahu’s international standing as he addressed the world body. While many delegations left the chamber in protest, Netanyahu continued speaking to the remaining audience and defended Israel’s policies before supporters in the visitors’ gallery.
(Source: Anadolu Agency)
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