By Abdullah Inuwa
A dramatic scene unfolded at the United Nations General Assembly in New York as scores of delegates reportedly walked out of the chamber when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approached the podium to deliver his address.
The walkout, which drew international attention, came amid mounting criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and growing calls from several countries for an end to the conflict.
Video footage from the session showed representatives rising from their seats and leaving the hall as Netanyahu prepared to speak. The development left sections of the Assembly chamber visibly empty, highlighting the deep divisions surrounding Israel’s conduct in the Middle East conflict.
Netanyahu, however, proceeded with his address, presenting Israel’s position on the war and defending the country’s military actions.
The Israeli leader has consistently maintained that his government’s campaign is aimed at dismantling Hamas and preventing a repeat of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Palestinian officials and critics of Israel, on the other hand, have accused the Israeli military of causing widespread civilian suffering and destruction in Gaza.
The walkout occurred against the backdrop of intense diplomatic disagreements at the United Nations, where member states have repeatedly debated the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the protection of civilians and prospects for a lasting political settlement.
While the departing delegates did not all publicly state their individual reasons, the timing of the protest was widely interpreted as a demonstration of opposition to Netanyahu’s policies and Israel’s military campaign.
The Israeli prime minister has faced strong criticism from several governments and international organisations over the scale of destruction and civilian casualties in Gaza. Israel rejects allegations of wrongdoing and argues that Hamas operates within densely populated civilian areas.
Netanyahu’s appearance at the General Assembly also reflected the continuing diplomatic confrontation between Israel and countries demanding greater accountability over the conflict.
The United Nations has repeatedly called for the protection of civilians, unhindered humanitarian assistance and a political resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The walkout further underscored the challenges facing international diplomacy as world leaders struggle to bridge sharply conflicting positions on the war, humanitarian access and the future of Gaza.
Despite the departure of numerous delegates, Netanyahu continued his speech, using the global platform to communicate Israel’s position and defend its military campaign.
The incident is likely to fuel further debate over the role of the United Nations in addressing the Gaza crisis and the growing divide between Israel and sections of the international community.
Editor’s note: The widely reported mass walkout occurred during Netanyahu’s United Nations address on September 26, 2025. The event should not be presented as a new incident in September 2026 without independent confirmation.
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