Netanyahu took UN podium. Then dozens of delegates walked out: Watch - The Indian Express

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s address to the UN General Assembly on Thursday was met by a mass walkout, with dozens of delegates leaving the chamber as he took the podium.

Netanyahu hit back at those who departed, calling them “moral cowards”, before using the speech to defend Israel’s military actions, warn that Iran’s regime would eventually fall and accuse critics of Israel of spreading falsehoods. Reuters and the Associated Press reported the walkout.

The address came weeks before Israel’s October 27 election. Reuters reported that Netanyahu was seeking to counter growing international isolation while campaigning for re-election at home, while The Washington Post described the speech as an appeal to Israeli voters.

However, Netanyahu continued, defending Israel’s military campaigns across Gaza, Iran and the wider region, and hit out at both international critics and long-standing allies.

Delegates from several countries left the General Assembly hall as Netanyahu began speaking. The departure left large sections of the chamber empty, news agency Associated Press, while the assembly president repeatedly called for order.

Netanyahu responded by telling those still leaving to go ahead and leave, calling the departing delegates “moral cowards”.

The Palestinian Mission to the UN had urged member states to organise a collective walkout when Netanyahu was introduced, AP reported. Israel rejects allegations that it has committed genocide or war crimes in Gaza.

WATCH: Netanyahu is booed as he begins his UNGA speech, with many delegations walking out of the General Assembly hall. pic.twitter.com/ldaiBQ0KFk

Addressing Iranians directly, Netanyahu said he believed political change was coming to Iran. “The power of the people will overcome the people in power,” he said, predicting that Iran’s government would eventually fall.

Netanyahu also defended the US and Israeli military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities earlier this year, describing his decision to attack Iran as “one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make”, AP reported.

Netanyahu on Iran:I want to give you the good news. Despite your silence, despite your hypocrisy, it's only a matter of time that in Iran something incredible will happen. The power of the people will overcome the people in power!I want you to listen to my words carefully.… pic.twitter.com/dsJm6WedYI

He said Israel would continue fighting and “win” because it had no other choice.

Netanyahu also criticised Britain and France over their criticism of Israel and singled out New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza and called Netanyahu a war criminal.

Netanyahu rejected those accusations and told Mamdani, “You can’t silence me. You can’t silence the truth.”

Before the speech, Reuters reported that Netanyahu had planned to use his UN appearance to confront Mamdani, reflecting the growing tensions surrounding the Israeli leader’s visit to New York.

Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for his support and described the joint US-Israeli military action against Iran as a partnership that helped “save civilisation”.

Iran’s delegation also walked out as Netanyahu began speaking.

A photograph of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force who was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020, was left on the Iranian delegation’s desk.

NETANYAHU: "Mr. Mamdani, you try to stop me from coming here. You tried to silence me.""Well, you can't silence me. You can't silence the truth." pic.twitter.com/yhAFQBOww8

The image provided a pointed visual response to Netanyahu’s address and his remarks about Iran.

Netanyahu’s UN appearance came just weeks before Israel’s October 27 election. Reuters reported that the prime minister was using the appearance to defend Israel’s actions while campaigning for re-election amid mounting international criticism over the Gaza war.

The Washington Post reported that Netanyahu was appealing to voters back home as he confronted international criticism at the UN.

Netanyahu’s visit to New York was unusually brief. Reuters reported that he was expected to spend less than eight hours in the city before returning to Israel.

Protests were also held outside the UN headquarters ahead of Netanyahu’s speech.

Reuters reported that police arrested at least 30 people, including actors and politicians, during demonstrations against the Israeli prime minister’s visit.

The Guardian reported that actress Susan Sarandon, whistleblower Chelsea Manning and comedian Caleb Hearon were among those detained.

The protesters’ actions were part of wider demonstrations against Israel’s military campaign and US support for Israel.

Netanyahu is the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued on November 21, 2024.

The ICC says he is allegedly responsible for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population, as well as crimes against humanity including murder, persecution and other inhumane acts in the Gaza conflict. The allegations remain allegations; Netanyahu and Israel have rejected the court’s case.

His UN appearance came amid that continuing dispute, as well as wider international criticism of Israel’s conduct of the Gaza war.

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