Mass Walkout During Netanyahu’s UN Speech, Brands Him ‘Global Pariah’

Numerous diplomats and officials exited the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was about to justify his country’s actions in Gaza, where over 41,000 people have been killed in the past year, and the recent violence in Lebanon that resulted in over 700 deaths this week.

Journalists and those critical of Netanyahu, whom many labeled a “global pariah,” captured and shared images of attendees leaving the hall prior to his speech. This demonstration of disapproval occurred a day after 25 protesters against genocide were detained for obstructing his motorcade in Manhattan.

Despite some clapping from the few remaining in the room, Al Jazeera Arabic‘s Rami Ayari pointed out that “the applause for the PM during his speech came mainly from supporters in the gallery, whom he had brought along specifically for this purpose.”

Nihad Awad, the national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, stated, “The departure of numerous delegates during war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu’s address at the U.N. underscores the global community’s repudiation of the ongoing genocide by Israel’s far-right, overtly racist government in Gaza and its expanding state terror tactics in Lebanon.”

Awad further remarked that U.S. President Joe Biden “should recognize how isolated our nation is becoming globally, reconsider his stance, and genuinely promote human rights and international law, especially concerning the Palestinian people.”

Since the Israeli military began its offensive in Gaza as a response to the Hamas-initiated attacks on October 7, the U.S. has continued its support for Israel, providing billions in military aid and blocking U.N. resolutions, all while claiming to advocate for a cease-fire. Earlier in the week, Biden urged the General Assembly to secure “safety for Israel and a Gaza free from Hamas’ control.”

In reaction to the walkout, Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, commented, “The impunity granted to Israel by Biden is being exploited by Netanyahu, turning Israel into a global outcast, which serves neither American nor Israeli interests.” Parsi also shared a video where Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob implored Netanyahu at the U.N. to “halt this war immediately!”

Netanyahu, addressing the General Assembly on Friday, criticized the global leaders who had condemned Israel’s recent aggressive tactics against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the prolonged military actions in Gaza. “I initially did not plan to attend this year. My nation is at war, fighting for its survival,” Netanyahu said. He asserted his presence was to correct “the falsehoods and accusations targeted at my country by some speakers here.”

Armed with several maps of the Middle East, Netanyahu maintained that “Israel seeks peace,” yet he vowed to continue the assault on Hamas-controlled Gaza until “complete victory” and warned Iran’s leaders, “if you attack us, we will retaliate.”

James Zogby, co-founder and president of the Arab American Institute, criticized Netanyahu’s remarks: “The words of a man charged with genocide and crimes against humanity represent a misuse of the General Assembly’s platform to spread lies and provoke.”

Israel is currently under investigation for genocide by the International Court of Justice, led by South Africa, and the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders, one of whom was recently killed by Israel in Iran. Israel also claims it has eliminated a second leader from Hamas, which the group denies.