Watch: Representatives from several countries walk out as Netanyahu begins his speech at UNGA

Representative of several countries walked out as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began to deliver his speech at United Nations General Assembly.

The walkout highlighted Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation, with support now largely limited to the United States under President Donald Trump.

Empty chairs. Photos of dead children

Iran’s UN delegation walked out before Netanyahu’s speech, leaving images of Iranian kids killed in the 12-day war https://t.co/KaEVWI16Japic.twitter.com/4rZTmDV5OC — RT (@RT_com) September 26, 2025

Representatives from Arab and Muslim countries led the walkout, joined by several African and European diplomats. Their protest came a day after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the Assembly remotely, having been denied a US visa. Abbas vowed Palestinians would “never leave Gaza despite all they had suffered.”

Netanyahu used his speech to urge Hamas leaders to surrender, release hostages, and lay down arms.  He also claimed that privately, many leaders express gratitude for Israel’s intelligence services.

“They tell me how much they value our superb intelligence, which has prevented terrorist attacks in their capitals time and again,” he said.

Recently, in a major policy shift, several Western powers, including Australia, Britain, Canada, and France, announced support for the recognition of a Palestinian state. They argued the move was necessary to preserve hopes for a two-state solution and to push for an end to the conflict.