Delegations from 70 nations 'walk out' during Netanyahu's UN speech
New York (ANTARA) - Delegations from almost 7undred nations performed a walk-out, leaving the UN General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech on Thursday, as a form of protest against Israel’s policies in Gaza and the region.
Footage from the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly shows dozens of delegations leaving the room simultaneously after Netanyahu took the rostrum to deliver his address.
Several countries left behind a single representative or junior diplomat, while other delegations did not attend the speech at all.
Turkey, Palestine, Tunisia, Syria, Algeria, Yemen, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iran, Qatar, Lebanon, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Kuwait were among the nations whose delegations participated in the action.
Delegations from Spain, Brazil, Peru, Cuba, Nigeria, Ghana, Libya, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Oman, Niger, Madagascar, Botswana, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, and Cabo Verde also left the room or failed to attend the speech.
The protest took place amidst international condemnation of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, its policies in the West Bank, and its attacks on Lebanon and Syria.
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded in September 2025 that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, though Israel has rejected these findings.
Furthermore, Netanyahu is the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued on 21 November 2024 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, representatives from the United States, Germany, Argentina, Hungary, Serbia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Greece remained in the UN General Assembly hall during Netanyahu’s speech.
The United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Belgium, and Norway, whose relations with Israel have become increasingly strained regarding Gaza, also kept representatives in the room, as did the European Union delegations.
China, which has repeatedly criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, was represented by a single diplomat.
Delegations from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which have normalised relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, also remained in their seats.
Other nations represented during the speech included Australia, Austria, Canada, Portugal, Poland, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Iceland, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Kenya, and El Salvador.
The walk-out left much of the UN General Assembly hall looking empty as Netanyahu continued his address.