Mass Walkout As Netanyahu Takes Stage At UN General Assembly

There is a mass walkout at the United Nations General Assembly Hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes the stage to address world leaders at UNGA81 in New York.

Dozens of delegates are walking out of the hall ahead of Netanyahu’s speech, in a coordinated protest against Israel’s war in Gaza.

According to Haaretz and The Associated Press, the Palestinian Mission to the UN had sent a message to many of the 193 UN member nations urging them to bring as many staff as possible to the assembly hall and “collectively walk out of the assembly” once the Israeli Prime Minister is announced.

“This will send a clear message to Netanyahu and his government that no one is willing to aid, abet, or be complicit in its genocide and war crimes and illegal occupation, which all peace-loving states and peoples demand must come to an end,” the message said.

Addressing the walkouts, Netanyahu calls the delegates “moral cowards,” and says Israel is defending many of the countries whose delegates left the hall.

The walkout is happening outside the hall as well, where hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters are blocking streets around the UN headquarters. Over 100 protesters have been arrested, including actress Susan Sarandon, whistleblower Chelsea Manning and comedian Caleb Hearon, according to reports.

The protests and diplomatic walkout mark a deepening isolation for Israel at the UN, as global pressure mounts over the ongoing war in Gaza.