Netanyahu calls delegates 'moral cowards' as Israel counts 77 absences at UNGA
Israeli tally named North Macedonia among 77 countries with empty seats, but officials said the count mixes protest exits with unrelated absences.
Israeli officials said 77 countries had empty seats in the United Nations General Assembly hall while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke in New York — a tally that included North Macedonia among other states from the wider Balkan region.
Israel counted absences but warned number mixes protest with other reasons
The list published by Israeli representatives grouped together delegations that demonstratively left the chamber and those whose seats were empty for other reasons. That caveat means inclusion on the Israeli list does not prove a country took part in an organised diplomatic walkout.
According to the count released by Israel, delegates from North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Turkey were not present in the chamber during Netanyahu’s address. By contrast, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania were not recorded as absent in Israel’s tally.
Israeli spokespeople acknowledged that not every empty seat reflected a political protest. Some countries’ delegations were not present at the session at all, while others stood up and left immediately before or as the prime minister began to speak. As an example, Israel said Egypt and Jordan had empty seats but their delegations did not participate in an organised exit; Pakistan’s delegation left the hall in protest but reportedly listened to the speech from the side.
Delegates from Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates remained in the chamber — two Arab states that normalised relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. Other countries Israel listed among absentees included Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Spain, Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Netanyahu reacted sharply to the departures and singled out those leaving as “moral cowards.” He used his speech to defend his government’s policies and military operations, rejected accusations of genocide against Palestinians and said the Israeli military takes steps to protect civilians. He also attacked critics of Israel and referenced strikes on Iran’s nuclear capabilities — framing the diplomatic dispute over how the war is portrayed as an additional front against his country.
Photo: Arhiva
