Netanyahu faces walkout from 30 UN diplomats during General Assembly speech

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday sparked a walkout by dozens of diplomats after he labeled those leaving “moral cowards” and urged others to join them. The incident unfolded in the General Assembly hall in New York, where the prime minister used his allotted time to defend Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and reject calls for an immediate cease‑fire.

Netanyahu’s remarks came amid the fifth month of Israel’s war with Hamas, which began after the militant group’s Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel. The conflict has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, and has drawn sharp criticism from many UN members who accuse Israel of disproportionate force and civilian casualties. The United States has repeatedly shielded Israel from binding resolutions at the UN, while a growing bloc of European, Latin American and African states has pushed for a humanitarian pause. Netanyahu’s appearance was intended to counter what he called “unfair” narratives and to rally support for Israel’s security objectives.

Around 30 representatives from countries including Norway, Ireland, Malaysia and South Africa exited the chamber as the prime minister spoke. Outside the UN headquarters, hundreds of protesters gathered with signs condemning the Israeli offensive and chanting for a cease‑fire. In response, Netanyahu accused the departing delegations of “cowardice” and warned that silence in the face of terror emboldens militants. The walkout prompted a brief interruption in the session, but the General Assembly resumed without a formal vote on a resolution that would have called for an immediate humanitarian cease‑fire.

The episode is likely to deepen divisions within the UN over the Gaza war. A draft resolution on a cease‑fire is expected to be debated later this week, and the United States is expected to veto any text that it deems too restrictive on Israel’s right to self‑defence. The walkout may also influence bilateral talks, as several European foreign ministers signaled they will raise the incident in upcoming diplomatic meetings. For now, the UN remains a contested arena where the war’s humanitarian toll and political calculations continue to clash.