UN: 77 Delegations Walk Out Ahead of Netanyahu’s Speech

New York: Dozens of country representatives walked out of the UN General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address. Israeli sources reported that 77 delegations were either absent or left during the speech, a walkout also confirmed by Reuters.
The address took place on September 24 during the 9th meeting of the 81st General Assembly session. Before even starting his speech, Netanyahu labeled those walking out “moral cowards,” saying, “If any other moral coward has not yet left this hall, please do so now.” General Assembly President Khalil al-Rahman repeatedly appealed for order.
In his speech, Netanyahu defended Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling it one of the “easiest decisions” of his premiership and claiming that otherwise “we would all be dead.” He dismissed genocide accusations against Israel in Gaza as lies, and criticized Britain, France, Qatar, and Turkey over their positions on Israeli policies.
He directly addressed New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had earlier called him a war criminal and backed his arrest, saying, “You can’t silence me.” Mamdani rejected the accusations as baseless. Outside the UN, protesters affiliated with Jewish Voice for Peace demonstrated against Netanyahu’s visit.