Netanyahu booed and met with mass walkout at UN General Assembly

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced boos and a mass walkout at the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 24. Dozens of delegations left the hall before and during his speech, creating visibly empty sections in the chamber.

As Netanyahu approached the podium, several delegations stood and walked out in protest. He responded directly, calling those who left "moral cowards" and inviting anyone else who felt the same to leave then. Delegations filed out both before he began and while he spoke. The scene included audible protest and a noticeably reduced audience.

Iran: Netanyahu devoted much of his speech to Iran, asserting that Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities had prevented what he described as an existential threat. He characterized the decision to strike as among the easiest of his tenure and expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him Israel's "greatest partner." The article notes that Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and the International Atomic Energy Agency has said it has not found evidence that Iran developed a nuclear weapon.

Gaza and West Bank: Netanyahu rejected accusations of genocide in Gaza, calling the allegation "the biggest lie of the century," and defended Israel's military operations in Gaza. He also defended Israel's presence in the occupied West Bank on security grounds. The article highlights ongoing international criticism of Israel over the Gaza war and settlement expansion in the West Bank and the UNGA's repeated calls for an end to the fighting and adherence to international law.

Golan Heights and historical claims

Netanyahu invoked historical Jewish ties to the Golan Heights, telling Syria's president that Jews had lived there "since the time of Moses." He used those historical claims in the speech as part of a broader defense of Israeli territorial and security positions.

Diplomatic context and visit schedule

The walkout reflected mounting international criticism over the Gaza conflict and settlement activity. Delegations' exits and outside protests underscored the contentious diplomatic environment Netanyahu entered at the General Assembly. He contended some leaders whose delegations left had privately thanked Israel for its actions against Iran, a claim reported in his address.