The walk-outs began before Benjamin Netanyahu had said a word.
Dozens of ministers and diplomats from across the globe left their seats in a coordinated act of protest against the Israeli prime minister.
By the time he began his address, the delegate section of the hall was nearly empty, a visual metaphor showing Israel’s increasing isolation from the rest of the world.
Netanyahu is no stranger to this venue and his speeches have often been controversial and colourful, using props to illustrate his points.
Today, he wore an oversized QR code pin, which took those curious enough to scan it to a website detailing the horrors of October 7.
For the past four days, almost every world leader who addressed the United Nations General Assembly criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza and called for an independent Palestinian state.
“You know what message the leaders who recognise a Palestinian this state this week sent to the Palestinians? It’s a very clear message: murdering Jews pays off,” he said.
Dozens of delegates walked out of the United Nations General Assembly Hall before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech. Source: AAP / Lev Radin / Sipa USA
“When the most savage terrorists on Earth are effusively praising your decision. You didn’t do something right. You did something wrong, horribly wrong.”
Since then, more than 65,000 people have been killed in Israel’s strikes and ground assault in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
But one thing was missing — any suggestion for what comes next, besides more war.
On Thursday, Donald Trump surprised many when he declared he would not allow Israel to annex any more of the West Bank.
It had been widely assumed annexation could be a potential Israeli response to the recognition of a Palestinian state by countries including Australia.
Netanyahu didn’t refer to that comment today, because he faces a delicate balancing act — keeping his far-right coalition partners on-side back home, while not irritating an American president who is determined to add another peace deal to his list of ‘wars I’ve solved’.
On Monday, the Israeli prime minister will visit the White House, for talks that are likely to be difficult for both sides.
After meeting with Arab leaders this week, Trump appears confident a deal can be done.
But what they consider acceptable may be something Netanyahu cannot sell to his government ministers, particularly those who’ve spent months calling for Gaza to be razed.
Two protests outside the UN
Outside UN Headquarters, the largest protests of General Assembly week were taking place, with thousands marching from Times Square holding Palestinian flags and wearing the keffiyeh.
A much smaller demonstration was taking place nearby, with a few dozen people holding Israeli flags and yellow flowers. They were relatives of the hostages taken on October 7.
We spoke with Orna Neutra, whose son Omer had been serving with the IDF.
Protesters rallied in Times Square before marching towards the United Nations, where Benjamin Netanyahu was addressing the General Assembly. Source: AAP / Photo by Jonathan Fernandes / Sipa USA
Initially thought to have been a Hamas hostage, it’s now known he was killed during the attack, but his body remains in Gaza.
“This was a just war, but the war goals have been achieved,” she told me.
“Hamas is eliminated, most of its leadership is gone, there are 48 hostages, they should be the priority.”
“It’s time for courageous leadership, end the suffering and allow the whole region to recover from this disaster.”
