UN member states walk out as Benjamin Netanyahu addresses General Assembly
United Nations member states walked out of the General Assembly hall, protesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he took the podium for the General Assembly session. Delegations from nations including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan exited the chamber amid jeers, leaving the Israeli leader to address a largely empty hall.
Diplomatic Exits and Empty Seats at the UN
The coordinated boycott underscored deep international friction over military actions in the Middle East. As Netanyahu approached the dais, representatives stood up and left the chamber. Anadolu Ajansı reported that delegations from Turkey, Tunus, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Senegal, Pakistan, Sudan, Iran, and Endonezya departed during the movement.
Other nations chose not to attend the session entirely. Diplomatic absences included representatives from Spain, South Africa, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, and Brazil, according to the same reports.
With the main floor largely deserted, Netanyahu delivered his remarks to a sparse assembly. The guest gallery filled up with pro-Israel attendees who provided applause and cheers during the address.
Street Demonstrations and Security Perimeter
Outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, security forces maintained a heavy presence as demonstrators gathered to protest Israeli military policies. Demonstrators carried banners reading “End the genocide” and “Fund people, not war.” The demonstrations marked the third time Netanyahu faced formal protests at the UN General Assembly since October 7, 2023.
Direct Accusations and Political Repercussions
During his speech, Netanyahu addressed the protests and turned his rhetoric toward Turkish leadership. T24 reported that the Israeli Prime Minister criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, labeling him a tyrant and accusing his administration of jailing journalists and political opponents.
The remarks immediately intensified diplomatic fallout between Ankara and Jerusalem, compounding existing grievances regarding operations in Gaza, the West Bank, and ongoing cross-border escalations involving Lebanon and Syria.