Netanyahu’s UN speech sparks mass walkout by dozens of delegations

Key points

• Dozens of delegations left as Netanyahu began speaking
• Reports put the number absent or leaving at 77
• Gaza and Palestinian policy were central to the protest

Dozens of diplomats walked out of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address, in a protest against Israel's conduct in Gaza and its policies towards Palestinians.

Officials streamed out of the chamber as Netanyahu took the podium on September 24, during the General Assembly's 81st session. He responded by calling those leaving "moral cowards", while supporters remaining in the hall applauded and chanted.

The Palestinian delegation had encouraged other missions to join the protest. The walkout came amid continuing international divisions over the Gaza war, Palestinian statehood, Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and wider regional tensions.

Did 77 countries actually walk out?

Reports widely cited a figure of 77 delegations, but there is an important distinction behind that number.

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An Israeli count found that 77 countries were either already absent or left the chamber around the start of Netanyahu's address. That means the figure should not be interpreted as 77 delegations physically walking out in protest.

The group included countries across the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. Egypt and Jordan, for example, were among those counted as absent but did not participate in the staged walkout, according to the Israeli tally. Pakistan's delegation left its seats but reportedly continued listening from the sidelines. Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates remained in the hall.

This makes the map's simple "walked out" and "stayed" categories somewhat misleading. It captures the broad geographical scale of the empty seats, but it does not distinguish countries that deliberately walked out from those that were simply not present.

Netanyahu defends Israel's actions

Netanyahu used his address to defend Israel's military actions and reject international criticism of his government. He criticised several governments, including Britain and France, and accused opponents of applying different standards to Israel.

His appearance came as Israel faced sustained criticism over the Gaza war and its treatment of Palestinians. Israel has rejected allegations that it is committing genocide in Gaza, while international rights organisations and a UN commission of inquiry have accused it of doing so.

The walkout also echoed scenes during Netanyahu's 2025 General Assembly address, when scores of delegates left the chamber as he spoke.

The UN's 81st General Assembly general debate runs from September 22 to 28, 2026, bringing heads of state, heads of government and other senior representatives to New York.

The latest protest therefore showed the extent of diplomatic opposition visible during Netanyahu's appearance, but the most accurate description is that dozens of delegations walked out, while a broader group of 77 delegations were recorded as either leaving or absent.

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