Dozens of UN delegations walk out as Netanyahu addresses General Assembly

Main points

• Dozens of delegations left Netanyahu’s speech
• Reports counted 77 delegations as absent or walking out
• Gaza and Palestinian policy drove the protest

Dozens of delegations walked out of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, September 24, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address, in a coordinated protest over Israel’s conduct in Gaza and its policies towards Palestinians.

Delegates could be seen leaving the hall as Netanyahu approached the podium on September 24, during the 81st session of the General Assembly. The chamber erupted in a mixture of boos, applause and chants, prompting the session’s presiding officer to repeatedly call for order.

Netanyahu responded to those leaving by calling them “moral cowards” and invited anyone else who objected to his presence to leave. Supporters remaining in the hall applauded and chanted “Am Yisrael Chai”, or “the people of Israel live”.

How many countries took part?

Several reports put the number of delegations that either walked out or were absent at 77. That distinction matters: the figure does not mean representatives of all 77 countries physically stood up and left during Netanyahu’s address. Some delegations had not been in their seats in the first place.

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An Israeli count published after the speech included countries from across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East. Among those listed were Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain and Ireland.

The same reporting shows why the map should be read carefully. Egypt and Jordan, for example, were reportedly absent rather than participants in the staged walkout, while Pakistan’s delegation walked out but later listened from the sidelines. Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates remained in the hall.

Palestinian mission encouraged the walkout

The Palestinian mission to the UN had encouraged other delegations to take part. A message reported by international media urged missions to fill the chamber and then collectively leave when Netanyahu was announced, presenting the action as a protest against Israel’s military campaign and occupation. Israel rejects accusations that it has committed genocide and war crimes.

The protest came a day after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the General Assembly by pre-recorded video. The United States had denied visas to Abbas and other senior Palestinian officials, preventing them from attending the gathering in New York in person.

Netanyahu used his address to defend Israel’s military actions, discuss the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack and Israel’s confrontation with Iran, and criticise several governments that have condemned Israeli policy. He said Israel would continue defending itself and argued that its military actions also protected countries whose representatives had left the chamber.

The General Assembly’s 81st session opened on September 8, with its annual general debate running from September 22 to 28.