Dozens of delegates left the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech, during which he defended Israel’s military actions against Iran.
As Netanyahu approached the podium, representatives from various delegations exited the hall, following an appeal from the Palestinian Mission to the UN for them to walk out. Reacting to the departure, Netanyahu remarked, “If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left the hall, please do so now.”
In his address, Netanyahu described targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities as challenging but claimed it was one of the easiest decisions he made as Prime Minister. “Devastating Iran’s nuclear facilities was hard. It was very hard to do,” he stated, adding, “But for me, it was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make as Prime Minister.”
He argued that Israel’s actions were necessary to protect not only the country but also other nations. “Because if we hadn’t done it, we’d all be dead,” he added, asserting that Israel’s military actions also safeguarded the interests of those who walked out.
Netanyahu mentioned that some foreign leaders had privately expressed their gratitude for Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear programme. “Many of their leaders even thank us privately for taking out Iran’s nukes,” he claimed. He denounced the reactions to his speech as “mind-blowing hypocrisy.”
He also recounted Israel’s experiences during the 1967 Six-Day War and praised his brother, Yoni Netanyahu, who was involved in a famous hostage rescue in 1976. “He paused, and then he said something I’ll never forget. We’re going to win,” Netanyahu recalled his brother telling him before the Six-Day War.
The walkout marks the latest disruption during this year’s UN General Assembly, following the Iranian delegation’s exit during a speech from US President Donald Trump when he threatened to “annihilate” Iran.
Netanyahu’s comments come during continued tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran, amid widespread international criticism of Israel’s military operations.
