During Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech, leaders from 50 countries walked out

In a dramatic display at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, diplomats from over 50 countries, including Iran, Turkey, Brazil, Spain, France, Colombia, South Africa, and Chile, staged a coordinated walkout as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech defending Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The mass exodus, which left the 1,800-seat hall nearly empty, underscored Israel’s deepening international isolation as the Gaza conflict enters its second year, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 65,000 deaths, mostly women and children.

The walkout occurred Friday morning as Netanyahu took the stage amid boos from some attendees and cheers from supporters. According to The Washington Post, over 100 diplomats exited, leaving only the Israeli delegation, junior U.S. and U.K. staff, and a handful of others. The coordinated protest, reportedly organized by the Palestinian mission, echoed a smaller walkout from the previous year. Israel’s UN ambassador called it a “cheap stunt,” but critics hailed it as a moral stand against Israel’s actions.

Netanyahu, undeterred by the empty hall, touted Israel’s military successes, highlighting the eliminations of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi leaders. Using a map prop, he referenced the “pager operation” targeting Hezbollah, declaring, “We’ve changed the region, but the job isn’t done. We’ll finish it in Gaza as fast as possible.” He issued an ultimatum to Hamas: “Lay down your arms, free the hostages, or we’ll hunt you down.” The speech was reportedly broadcast into Gaza via border loudspeakers and hacked cellphones, though residents said they didn’t receive it.

Netanyahu sharply criticized recent recognitions of Palestinian statehood by Norway, Ireland, Spain, the UK, France, Canada, and Australia, calling them “sheer madness” and a “reward for terrorism.” He likened granting Palestine statehood near Jerusalem to “giving al-Qaeda a state by New York after 9/11.” Currently, 157 of 193 UN members recognize Palestine, a surge fueling what Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called a “diplomatic tsunami.”

The Gaza conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,139 Israelis, has devastated the region. UN estimates cite over 41,000 Palestinian deaths, though local figures report 65,000, with Gaza City in ruins and famine confirmed. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024 for alleged war crimes. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the UNGA via video after a U.S. visa denial, condemned Israel’s actions as “genocide.”

Outside the UN, thousands protested in New York, chanting “He’s not welcome here,” while families of Israeli hostages demanded prioritization of their release. On X, the walkout trended globally, with viral videos showing empty seats. Pro-Palestinian posts, like those from Middle East Eye, garnered millions of views, calling it a rejection of “genocide,” while pro-Israel voices dismissed it as “virtue signaling by dictators.”

U.S. President Donald Trump, in his second term, hinted at a “deal on Gaza” to secure hostages and end the war, restraining Israel from West Bank annexation. Netanyahu will meet Trump on September 29. Hamas called the speech “full of lies.” The walkout signals a tipping point, with over 30 nations meeting separately on anti-Israel measures during the UNGA’s “world leaders’ week.”

This event highlights Israel’s precarious global standing. With Gaza’s humanitarian crisis—near-total displacement, 48 Israeli hostages, and ICC pressure—peace remains elusive. Will the walkout be a symbolic gesture or spark real change? The world watches as Trump’s meeting looms, though past deals have faltered.