Dozens of envoys walked out of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the 81st United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The delegates left the General Assembly hall as Netanyahu addressed world leaders, in a protest against his government’s policies and Israel’s conduct in the conflict involving Palestinians.
According to Channels Television, the session was marked by jeers and boos from some delegates, while members of Netanyahu’s delegation stood and applauded. The session’s presiding officer also called for order.
The hall, which had been sparsely occupied earlier, gradually filled ahead of Netanyahu’s address. The Palestinian delegation had reportedly circulated a memo urging other missions to join its protest.
“If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left this hall, please do so now,” Netanyahu said during the address.
Netanyahu also defended Israel’s position on the occupied West Bank, describing Israeli youths involved in attacks against Palestinian communities as “juvenile delinquents”. He said he opposed vigilantism.
During the speech, the Israeli prime minister also criticised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him a “tyrant” and accusing Turkey of hosting Hamas leaders.
Netanyahu further claimed that many Jewish people no longer feel safe in New York following the election of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. He also accused Mamdani of repeatedly making false accusations against Israel over genocide.
The walkout came amid heightened international tensions over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which have remained prominent issues at the 81st UN General Assembly.