Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a mass walkout at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday as dozens of delegations left the chamber before or during his address.
The Netanyahu UN Speech on September 24, 2026, drew strong reactions inside and outside the General Assembly hall. Delegates from numerous countries left their seats as Netanyahu approached the podium.
The walkout left large sections of the chamber empty. Some delegations left before Netanyahu began speaking, while others departed as he started his address.
Reports said representatives from nearly 70 countries either walked out or left their seats vacant. The Palestinian Mission to the United Nations had encouraged other delegations to join the protest.
The scene included applause and chants from members of the Israeli delegation, while the president of the General Assembly repeatedly called for order.
Netanyahu UN Speech Draws Walkout and Sharp Response
Netanyahu responded directly to the departing delegates during his Netanyahu UN Speech. He criticized those who left and called on others who opposed his position to leave as well.
The Israeli prime minister also defended Israel’s military actions and rejected accusations made against the country over its conduct in Gaza.
He argued that Israel was acting in self-defense and said its actions had also protected other countries in the region. Netanyahu also said that some foreign leaders had privately thanked Israel for its actions against Iran.
During the address, Netanyahu criticized several governments and political figures who have opposed Israeli policies. He also targeted New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and criticized Turkey and Qatar.
His comments drew further reactions from governments and officials who rejected his accusations.
The walkout reflected the sharp divisions surrounding Israel’s actions in Gaza and its wider military operations in the region. At the same time, several Western and other delegations remained inside the chamber during the speech.
UNGA Walkout Draws International Reactions
The mass departure became one of the most visible moments of the 81st UN General Assembly. Footage showed diplomats leaving as Netanyahu began his address, while those who remained listened to the speech.
Countries reported as joining the walkout included Türkiye, Palestine, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iraq and several others. Some countries left only a junior representative in the chamber, while others did not attend the address.
Other delegations, including those from the United States, Germany, Argentina, Hungary, Serbia and Ukraine, remained in the hall. The United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Belgium and Norway also had representatives present during the speech.
The different responses showed the range of international positions surrounding Israel and the ongoing regional conflict.
Netanyahu continued his address despite the walkout. He defended Israel’s position and criticized countries and political figures that he said had opposed Israel.
The Netanyahu UN Speech and the walkout drew extensive international media coverage. The event also highlighted the deep diplomatic divisions surrounding the Gaza conflict and Israel’s broader regional military actions.
The General Assembly later continued with other speeches and diplomatic discussions, while reactions to the walkout and Netanyahu’s remarks continued in the days that followed.
