Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a dramatic protest at the United Nations General Assembly after dozens of delegates walked out of the chamber as he took to the podium to deliver his address.
The walkout came as Netanyahu began speaking, with diplomats from several countries leaving the hall in a visible protest against Israel’s military actions and its conduct of the war in Gaza.
Despite the mass departure, Netanyahu remained defiant, using his address to defend Israel’s military campaign and insist that his government would continue fighting.
“We’re going to win. We have no other choice,” Netanyahu declared.
The Israeli leader also directly addressed those who had walked out, challenging them over their decision to leave the chamber.
The dramatic scenes highlighted the deep international divisions surrounding Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the wider Middle East.
While a significant number of delegates left, Netanyahu continued with his speech, defending Israel’s actions and arguing that the country was acting to protect its citizens and national security.
The walkout came amid sustained international criticism of Israel over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the scale of its military operations.
Netanyahu, however, maintained a firm position, telling the international community that Israel would not abandon its military objectives.
The confrontation at the UN underscored the increasingly polarised diplomatic debate surrounding the conflict, with Netanyahu using the global stage to defend his government’s position even as a large number of delegates chose to leave the chamber.
The Israeli prime minister’s declaration that “we have no other choice” signalled his determination to continue the war despite mounting diplomatic pressure and opposition from sections of the international community.
