Netanyahu at the UN
‘Israeli’ delegation checks which countries left Netanyahu’s UN speech
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- A member of the ‘Israel’ delegation was filmed walking through the UN General Assembly hall, checking which delegations had left during Benjamin Netanyahu’s address.
- Dozens of diplomats walked out as the ‘Israeli’ prime minister took the podium, leaving large sections of the chamber empty.
- Netanyahu called those who left “moral cowards” and defended ‘Israel’s’ military actions in Gaza and against Iran.
A member of the ‘Israeli’ delegation was filmed walking through the United Nations General Assembly hall during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech, appearing to check which delegations had left their seats.
Footage circulating online showed the delegate moving between rows and looking at nameplates on tables as large sections of the chamber remained empty. Reports said the representative was recording which delegations were absent from the hall.
The scene followed a mass walkout as Netanyahu approached the podium on Thursday, with dozens of delegates leaving the chamber in a highly visible protest. The Palestinian mission had urged other delegations to leave during Netanyahu’s address.
Netanyahu responded at the beginning of his speech by referring to those who had left as “moral cowards” and inviting any others who did not want to hear him to leave as well.
The ‘Israeli’ prime minister used the speech to defend his government’s military actions in the region, including its campaign in Gaza and its confrontation with Iran. He also criticized international leaders who have opposed his government’s policies.
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The walkout came amid growing international criticism of ‘Israel’ over its military campaign in Gaza and policies toward the Palestinians.
The episode highlighted the sharp diplomatic divisions surrounding ‘Israel’ at this year’s General Assembly, where the Gaza war and the wider conflict involving Iran have been major issues of debate.
Read more: Hamas denounces Netanyahu’s speech as ‘rife with lies’
