Dozens of delegates walk out as Netanyahu defends Israel at UNGA | WATCH

Dozens of delegates from various countries walked out of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium to speak on the Middle East crisis.

A video of the incident surfaced on social media and went viral.

Amid growing diplomatic efforts, there is mounting pressure to end the nearly two-year conflict. This week, ten countries formally recognised the state of Palestine in a bid to push for a resolution.

The walkout highlighted deep divisions over Israel’s military campaign, with some delegations remaining seated while others applauded. Netanyahu, facing mounting international criticism and allegations of war crimes, used the global platform to defend his government’s actions and push back against calls to end the fighting.

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During his address, Netanyahu vowed to continue Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza and reassured that hostages held by Palestinian militants “have not been forgotten.”

Local health officials say Israel’s military operations have killed over 65,000 people in Gaza and left large parts of the territory in ruins.

In a familiar move, he displayed a map of the region labelled “THE CURSE,” marking it with a large pen to emphasise his points. The US delegation, which continues to back Israel, remained seated throughout the protest.

Walkouts inside, protests outside

More than 100 diplomats from over 50 nations staged a walkout as soon as Netanyahu took the stage for his address, according to the tally reported by The Washington Post. The Israeli prime minister's speech was also coming hours after US President Donald Trump said that he would restrain Netanyahu from annexing territories in the West Bank in retaliation for the expressions of support for Palestinian statehood.

Targeting the UK, France and other countries that recognised Palestine, Netanyahu said: “You didn’t do something right. You did something wrong, horribly wrong.” “Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere,” he said.

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While Netanyahu was delivering his speech inside, thousands held demonstrations outside the New York City building where the meeting was taking place. Apart from this, protests were also held at Times Square across Midtown.

Many of these demonstrators were arrested as nearly two dozen people protested in a small but noisy gathering near Netanyahu’s hotel in the Lenox Hill neighbourhood on the east side of Manhattan. The demonstrations were quite active at midnight, ahead of Netanyahu’s address.

Protesters carried Palestinian flags and signs saying “genocide” and other statements, banged drums, chanted and yelled “baby killer”, “free Palestine” and “fuck Israel” in the street, according to footage posted to social media. While concluding his speech, Netanyahu issued an ultimatum to Hamas.

“Lay down your arms,” he said. “Let my people go. Free the hostages. All of them. The whole 48. Free the hostages now.” “If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down,” he added. Back home, the speech was marked by props and publicity. It was blasted on the loudspeakers of Israeli authorities stationed in Gaza.

Netanyahu’s office claimed it was also transmitted on telephones in the territory that had been hijacked by the Israeli intelligence services. During the speech, the Israeli prime minister also used visual props, including a QR code that he encouraged viewers to scan: it linked to footage of the 7 October attacks by Hamas.