Netanyahu at the UN
Photo appears to show Netanyahu prepared for UN walkout
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Netanyahu had reportedly prepared to call departing delegations “moral cowards” before delivering his UN speech.
- Dozens of delegations walked out as Netanyahu took the podium, leaving much of the General Assembly hall empty.
A photo circulating online appears to show ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to respond to delegations walking out of the UN General Assembly as he began his speech on Thursday, after dozens of envoys left the hall in protest.
Netanyahu was met with boos, jeers and a mass walkout as he took the podium. The Palestinian mission had urged UN member states to join a coordinated protest, with scores of delegates leaving their seats as Netanyahu began speaking.
The circulating image has drawn attention to what appears to be material prepared for Netanyahu's response to the walkout, suggesting that his remarks about the departing delegations had been anticipated before he took the podium.
“If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left this hall, please do so now,” Netanyahu said during the speech.
He also claimed that ‘Israel’ was defending countries whose representatives had left, saying that some of their leaders had privately thanked ‘Israel’ for its military action against Iran.
The walkout left a large number of seats empty as Netanyahu continued his address. His ‘Israeli’ delegation applauded, while the president of the General Assembly repeatedly called for order.
Netanyahu also used visual aids during the speech, including holding up a pager while discussing the Sep. 2024 explosions targeting Hezbollah members in Lebanon. He thanked US President Donald Trump for his support in confronting Iran.
Earlier in the day, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the General Assembly through a recorded speech from Ramallah after the United States denied visas to him and other Palestinian officials for a second consecutive year. Abbas said Palestinians would not leave their homeland or accept displacement.
Netanyahu's appearance came amid growing international criticism of ‘Israel’ over its conduct of the Gaza war and policies in the occupied West Bank. He rejected allegations of genocide and defended ‘Israel’ against its critics during the speech.
Read more: Leaked photos show destruction at US military bases from Iranian strikes: CBS
