Netanyahu slams UN walkouts during speech, urges critics to leave

The United Nations General Assembly hall in New York saw dozens of delegations walk out on Thursday evening as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech, staging a protest ahead of his address in which he defended Israel’s military policies and attacked its critics.

Netanyahu opened his remarks by targeting the delegations that left the hall, saying: “If there are any more cowards who haven’t left yet, I ask them to leave now.”

The Israeli prime minister also addressed the issue of Iran, stating that destroying its nuclear facilities was a difficult task, but described the decision to carry out the strike as “one of the easiest decisions” he made as prime minister. He added: “If we hadn’t struck Iran, we would be among the dead.”

Netanyahu claimed that Israel was defending itself and the countries whose delegations left the hall, adding that some leaders of those nations “thanked Israel in secret” for striking Iran’s nuclear facilities.

On the Syrian issue, Netanyahu addressed Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shar regarding the Golan Heights, asserting that Jews have been present there since the time of Moses, reaffirming his stance on the Israeli-controlled territory.

Netanyahu also criticized France and Britain, saying: “Enough with the lies, you colonized the world,” as he defended Israel and responded to criticism of its policies.

Netanyahu’s speech came amid the walkout by international delegations from the General Assembly hall, with his remarks focusing on Iran, the war in Gaza, and attacks on several countries and figures who criticize his government’s policies.