By Fatima Mukhtar
A diplomatic storm erupted at the United Nations General Assembly as 77 countries either walked out or refused to attend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address in protest against Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.
According to a list released by the Israeli government, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, Ireland, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman were among the nations that snubbed the speech. All of Israel’s immediate neighbors—Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria—were also absent.
While Tel Aviv framed the boycott as a coordinated political move, it acknowledged that some delegations may have skipped the morning session altogether. Reports by Reuters confirmed that dozens of diplomats left the chamber as Netanyahu began speaking, leaving rows of empty seats in the hall.
Sahara Reporters added that countries such as Pakistan staged symbolic exits at the start of Netanyahu’s remarks, while others, including Bahrain and the UAE, stayed seated despite regional pressure linked to Israel’s Gaza campaign.
During his address, Netanyahu doubled down on Israel’s military offensive, declaring that the country “must finish the job” in Gaza—a stance that has fueled mounting international criticism and calls for accountability.
The boycott underscores Israel’s deepening diplomatic isolation at the UN, as more nations openly oppose its handling of the conflict in the Middle East.
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