New York – Dozens of United Nations delegates from at least 50 nations, including Qatar and Ireland, walked out of the General Assembly in New York on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium to defend Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The dramatic protest underscored deep international divisions over the ongoing conflict, which has claimed over 41,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza health officials.
Netanyahu’s speech centred on Israel’s actions as self-defence against Hamas and what he described as Iran’s destabilising influence in the region.
He vehemently rejected recent moves by countries like France and Britain to recognise Palestinian statehood, calling them “a reward for terrorism.” The Israeli leader vowed to continue military efforts to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of 101 hostages still held since the group’s October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
The walkout began moments after Netanyahu started speaking, with delegates from nations critical of Israel’s Gaza campaign exiting the chamber in a coordinated show of dissent.
Qatar’s representative called the speech “a justification of war crimes,” while Ireland’s delegate cited “profound moral objections” to Israel’s actions. The empty seats in the hall stood in stark contrast to the applause from a smaller group of supportive delegations.
Adding to the controversy, Israeli forces reportedly broadcast Netanyahu’s 25-minute address live into Gaza during the speech, using loudspeakers mounted on trucks and hijacked mobile phone networks.
The unprecedented operation drew sharp criticism from human rights groups, who labelled it “psychological warfare” aimed at Gaza’s civilian population.
“This is a deliberate escalation, rubbing salt in the wounds of a population already suffering immensely,” said a spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority.
The Gaza conflict, now in its second year, has sparked global outrage over its humanitarian toll. The Palestinian death toll, reported at over 41,000, includes thousands of civilians, with much of Gaza reduced to rubble.
Israel maintains its operations target Hamas militants, whom it accuses of embedding within civilian areas. Netanyahu’s defiant tone and the broadcast into Gaza further inflamed tensions, with protests erupting outside the UN headquarters.
Inside, the walkout left the General Assembly visibly divided, reflecting the deepening global rift over the Israel-Palestine conflict. As the session concluded, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for renewed dialogue, urging all parties to prioritise de-escalation and a path toward peace.
However, with no immediate resolution in sight, the walkout and Israel’s provocative broadcast signal a new low in diplomatic relations over the Gaza crisis.