PUI Applauds Indonesian Delegation's Walkout During Netanyahu's UN Speech
The Persatuan Ummat Islam (PUI) has expressed appreciation for the stance taken by the Indonesian delegation, which performed a walkout from the 81st United Nations General Assembly session in New York as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to deliver his speech. Indonesia is seen as remaining consistent in voicing Palestinian issues within international forums.
General Chairman of PUI, Raizal Arifin, stated that the walkout was not merely a form of solidarity, but also a message that the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population must not be treated as an ordinary matter. “PUI appreciates the attitude of the Indonesian delegation. This shows that Indonesia does not remain silent when the Palestinian issue continues to be a global humanitarian concern. Such a firm stance is important to maintain the consistency of Indonesia’s foreign policy in defending humanity and peace,” said Raizal on Saturday (26/9/2026).
However, Raizal requested that this diplomatic stance be followed by more concrete steps. According to him, solidarity with Palestine must directly impact the lives of the people, particularly children, families, conflict victims, and the sustainability of education and humanitarian services.
“What we are fighting for is not just a diplomatic position, but human beings. There are children who have lost their schools, families who have lost their homes, and communities in need of access to food, health, and a dignified life. Therefore, the diplomatic struggle must result in real efforts to save lives,” he said.
PUI also believes that the momentum at the UN should be utilised by Indonesia to continue pushing for peace and a resolution that provides a fair future for the Palestinian people. Indonesia had previously placed Palestine as one of the primary issues in the series of UN General Assembly sessions and was scheduled to deliver its National Statement on Saturday (26/9).
“The walkout is a message. But after that message is delivered, diplomacy must continue to work. We hope Indonesia becomes increasingly active in pushing for the protection of civilians, humanitarian aid, the recovery of life in Gaza, and the future of Palestinian children’s education,” concluded Raizal.
Indonesia Walks Out During Netanyahu’s Speech
The Indonesian delegation, along with many other national delegations, chose to walk out during PM Netanyahu’s speech at the UN on Thursday (24/9) local time. In footage released by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia (PTRI) in New York, the Indonesian delegation was seen standing in unison with other delegations to leave their seats, leaving the Indonesian bench empty. Dozens of other delegations appeared to do the same.
During his speech, one of Netanyahu’s targets was Zohran Mamdani, the Mayor of New York and the first Muslim politician to hold the office. Netanyahu referred to Mamdani as an “antisemitic” figure and alleged that many Jewish citizens felt unsafe since Mamdani’s election. “Since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jewish people no longer feel safe,” Netanyahu stated.
Mamdani had previously criticised Netanyahu harshly and had stated he would execute International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants against Netanyahu if he possessed the authority, though he later acknowledged he did not have such power. In 2024, the ICC stated there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu is responsible for war crimes during Israel’s operations in Gaza, a charge which Netanyahu denies.