Netanyahu's UN Speech Sees 77 Nations Walk Out in Protest
During a United Nations session in New York on Thursday, September 26, 2024, representatives from 77 countries walked out of the General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address. The mass departure, described as a "political funeral" for Israel, is unprecedented in the UN's 80-year history, according to the article. The walkout occurred as Netanyahu was participating in the annual UN General Assembly meetings.
Netanyahu reportedly responded to the walkout by challenging those who remained, stating, "If there are more cowards who haven't left the hall, I ask them to leave now." He also criticized France and Britain, stating, "Enough lies, you have colonized the world." The article interprets the walkout as a rejection of Israel's narrative and legitimacy, particularly in light of an arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court on November 21, 2024.
The 77 countries represented included 18 Arab nations, 14 Asian, 20 African, 17 Latin American, and 6 European countries, such as Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia. The article asserts their departure was a protest against Netanyahu's actions, not out of fear of Hamas as Netanyahu allegedly claimed.
Israeli media outlets offered varied reactions. Channel 14 reportedly called the event "a spit in the face of Israel," while Yedioth Ahronoth described it as a "dramatic protest." Haaretz characterized Netanyahu's speech as "boring and repetitive," aimed at his domestic base amid growing international isolation. Channel 12 suggested the withdrawal indicated a negative global view of Israel.
International media also commented, with The Guardian noting Netanyahu's pledge to end the Gaza operation as delegations left, and The Washington Post viewing the walkout as a manifestation of a global backlash against Israeli policies. The article concludes that Netanyahu speaking to an empty hall signifies Israel's loss of legitimacy and its status as a pariah state.
