Scores of delegates staged a dramatic walkout at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mounted the podium to address the 81st session of the global body, in a fresh sign of mounting international divisions over Israel’s military operations in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.
Large sections of the General Assembly chamber were left conspicuously empty as delegates from dozens of countries either boycotted the session or walked out during Netanyahu’s speech, drawing global attention to the deepening diplomatic rift surrounding the Middle East conflict.
Reports indicated that at least 77 country delegations were either absent or left the hall as the Israeli leader began his address.
The countries reportedly included several Arab nations such as Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia and Comoros, alongside Palestine.
Other nations across Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and Oceania were also said to have joined the protest, including Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Kenya, Brazil, Cuba, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia.
The walkout was widely interpreted as a protest against Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and Lebanon, which have attracted increasing international scrutiny and criticism.
Addressing the nearly depleted chamber, Netanyahu defended Israel’s military operations, insisting that his country was acting in self-defence against security threats in the region.
The Israeli Prime Minister also took aim at delegates who left the hall, describing them as “moral cowards” for refusing to listen to Israel’s position.
Netanyahu further used the occasion to criticise New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, declaring that the mayor could not threaten him, although details surrounding the remarks were not immediately clear.
The Israeli leader’s visit to the United States was notably brief, lasting approximately eight hours, during which he attended the UN event before departing.
The mass absence and walkout underscored the increasingly polarised global response to the conflict in the Middle East and highlighted the diplomatic challenges facing Israel as calls for an end to hostilities continue to grow at international forums.
The development is expected to further intensify debates within the United Nations over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and broader efforts aimed at securing peace and stability in the region.
