Israeli Politics · updated 53m ago · 2 min read
Dozens of Delegates Walk Out as Benjamin Netanyahu Begins UN General Assembly Address
Dozens of UN delegates walked out during Netanyahu's UN General Assembly address. Netanyahu defended Israel's actions in the speech as walkouts unfolded.
Whether to foreground detainees vs empty desks.
10 of 12 outlets skipped it: more than 100 protesters were detained, including Susan Sarandon.
www.timesofisrael › liveblog-september-24-2026 was read line by line by the Watchdog: 6.4. See the score →
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Al Jazeera
“Desks were left empty when delegates from dozens of nations left the UN General Assembly session.”Read the original ↗
BBC emphasises detention numbers and celebrity presence, while Al Jazeera spotlights empty desks and the walkout’s visual disruption.
Walkout at UNGA
Dozens of delegates walked out as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address to the UN General Assembly in New York City, leaving sections of the chamber practically empty. At least 100 people protesting against Netanyahu's visit were detained, and the protests and walkouts met his short visit with hostility in New York City.
Netanyahu responded to the walkout by telling the hall, "If there are any other moral cowards who haven't left the hall, please do so now". Sputnik Mundo described Netanyahu firing a barb at those who decided to walk out, quoting him as saying, "If there are more moral cowards who want to leave the room, go ahead and do it now," as spectators in the galleries continued to show their support for Israel.
Protests and polarized reaction
Dozens of delegates walked out when Netanyahu headed to the stage, and the scene was hostility in New York City. Others stood and applauded the Israeli leader as a large number of diplomats walked out of the room.
NBC News' segment on the episode framed the moment as Netanyahu speech prompts walkout, protests, while the Hill described demonstrators gathering outside the UN's New York City headquarters. Netanyahu told the chamber, "If there are any other moral cowards who haven't yet left this hall, please do so now," and the Hill said he urged other "moral cowards" to do the same as he ripped those who left during his remarks.
What Netanyahu defended
Netanyahu used the UN General Assembly speech to defend Israel's actions in Gaza and Iran, and the Radio Pauta 100.5 account said he defended his country’s actions in Gaza and rejected the accusation of genocide against his country.
Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly after leaders from Europe and the Middle East devoted time at the UN podium Wednesday to harshly denounce Israel, and it was not clear if the deal meant the Israelis would pause their offensive in Lebanon.
Netanyahu told the UN, "We will continue to defend our state. We will continue to win because we have no other choice," as many attendees walked out.
El Colombiano reported that Netanyahu referred directly to the representatives who had decided to withdraw, and it quoted him saying, “If there is another coward who wants to leave, please go now,” while some who remained booed him.