NEW YORK: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a walkout by dozens of delegates at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday as he began his address.
Delegates left the chamber as Netanyahu approached the rostrum, while others remained and applauded. Some supporters chanted “Am Yisrael Chai,” translated as “the people of Israel live.”
Netanyahu responded by calling the departing delegates “moral cowards” and told others who felt the same way to leave. Members of the Israeli delegation remained and cheered him.
The walkout came as Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions in the region. Israel has faced criticism over its operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
A United Nations commission of inquiry has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, a finding Israel rejects. UN material records the commission’s conclusion, while Israeli representatives have disputed genocide allegations and criticised the inquiry.
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The Gaza war began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage.
Gaza’s health ministry says more than 73,920 people have since been killed during Israel’s military campaign.
