The United Nations General Assembly witnessed an extraordinary moment on Friday when dozens of delegates stood up and walked out just as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to deliver his speech. Cameras inside the chamber showed row after row of seats emptying, leaving Netanyahu to face a nearly vacant hall.
The move followed days of fiery speeches focused on the war in Gaza, now nearing its two-year mark, and highlighted just how sharply divided the international community remains over the conflict. On Thursday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had addressed the body virtually, receiving long applause and vocal support from delegates — a stark contrast to the silence that greeted Netanyahu.
But the Israeli prime minister seemed prepared for the cold reception inside the chamber. Instead of speaking only to the diplomats in front of him, he revealed that his remarks were being broadcast far beyond the walls of the UN. His address was streamed directly to cell phones in Gaza and carried on speakers surrounding the enclave. He used the moment to send a personal message to the remaining hostages still held by Hamas.
BREAKING: UN delegates from multiple nations walk out of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s General Assembly address pic.twitter.com/G6GMwqCspN
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 26, 2025
“Our brave heroes, this is Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking to you live from the United Nations,” he said, switching between Hebrew and English. “We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you. We will not falter, and we will not rest until we bring all of you home.”
Netanyahu then turned his attention to Hamas leaders, some of whom may have been listening to his broadcast. His words carried a sharp warning: “Free the hostages now! If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.”
The remarks came against a backdrop of heightened tension at the UNGA. Abbas, speaking the day before, accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza and insisted the Palestinian Authority is ready to take over governance and security of the territory. He appealed to President Donald Trump for peace talks and pushed again for full Palestinian membership in the United Nations, pointing to several European countries that have already recognized a Palestinian state.
“Palestine is ours. Jerusalem is the jewel of our hearts and our eternal capital. We will not leave our homeland. We will not leave our lands,” Abbas declared in his recorded address.
Abbas was not allowed to attend the assembly in person after the U.S. State Department denied his visa application, citing his government’s ties to terrorism. The decision added another layer of controversy to an already volatile week of speeches and symbolic gestures.
The dramatic walkout during Netanyahu’s speech underscored just how polarizing the war in Gaza has become at the international level. The conflict has already displaced millions and drawn accusations, counter-accusations, and repeated calls for ceasefires that have so far failed to hold.
UN delegates STORM out to protest Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations.
Did they storm out when the Oct 7 Hamas massacre footage was shown?
They didn’t storm out when the Al Qaeda/ISIS commander currently leading Syria spoke at the UN.
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Zechariah 12:3
“On that day, when… pic.twitter.com/YPh25702yz— Daniel Cohen (@DanielCohenTV) September 26, 2025
UN delegates STORM out to protest Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations.While the UN floor may have been empty as Netanyahu spoke, his words were aimed elsewhere — directly into the conflict zone, to the people of Gaza, to the hostages, and to the militants holding them. The reaction, both inside the chamber and outside of it, leaves one pressing question: what comes next after such a public display of division on the world stage?
