Many delegations leave UN General Assembly hall during Benjamin Netanyahu speech

Many delegations stood up and walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall just before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address, creating an unusual scene at the start of the session.

Large numbers of diplomats moved toward the exits at the same time, producing lines outside the doors while other representatives waited to take their turn leaving the chamber. From the Israeli delegation and supporters remaining in the hall there were applause and shouts in support of Netanyahu.

Protest and the wider context

The departures were widely interpreted as a diplomatic rebuke connected to the war in Gaza and the consequences of Israel’s military operations. Data from the Ministry of Health in Gaza report that, as of 22 September, 73.919 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 175.000 injured.

Another factor shaping international reactions is the International Criminal Court, which in November 2024 issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza war. Israel rejects the charges and does not recognize the Court’s jurisdiction.

Outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, demonstrators held protests against Israeli policy and the campaign in Gaza, calling for an end to the fighting and voicing support for Palestinians.

In his speech, Netanyahu defended Israel’s positions, addressed the Gaza conflict and criticized international pressure directed at his country.

Photo: press material from the event