Chicago – September 26, 2025
A number of delegates staged a walkout during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.
The protest, which saw representatives from several countries leave the assembly hall, appeared to be in response to Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Netanyahu, undeterred by the walkouts, used his speech to defend Israel’s security actions and to urge the international community to back what he described as Israel’s right to self-defense.
He also highlighted recent diplomatic advances between Israel and some Arab nations, suggesting that a broader Middle East peace was within reach—though critics argue that the situation in Gaza remains unresolved and deeply contentious.
Diplomats from Arab and Muslim-majority nations were among the most visible participants in the protest, joined by several other countries concerned about the humanitarian impact of recent Israeli military campaigns.
The walkout underscored deep divisions within the international community regarding the path to peace in the region and signaled ongoing tensions as the UN continues to address the crisis.
