Netanyahu Delivers UN Speech to Empty Chairs, Protesters Fill the Streets
New York (QNN)- ICC-wanted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday. But the scene inside the hall contrasted sharply with the streets outside.
Dozens of delegations from Arab and Western countries walked out before Netanyahu took the podium. Their withdrawal left the hall with rows of empty seats. The move was a direct protest against Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and its assaults against other countries.
While Netanyahu spoke, thousands of protesters filled the streets around the UN headquarters. Demonstrators carried banners demanding an end to genocide in Gaza. Many condemned allowing Netanyahu to have a platform at the UN despite of being wanted by the ICC for war crimes.
The protests were loud and coordinated. March organizers said they would continue their rallies until Israel ends its genocide and lifts the blockade on Gaza.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid strongly criticized Netanyahu’s speech.
“The world saw a tired Israeli Prime Minister today, crying through a speech overloaded with tricks,” he said. “Instead of halting the political tsunami, Netanyahu deepened Israel’s isolation.”
Despite the walkouts, few delegations stayed. Applause was heard from the U.S delegation and other close allies of Israel. Netanyahu’s team had also invited zionist leaders and close supporters to cheer during the address.
Israeli media reported that officials attempted to broadcast the speech directly into Gaza. Netanyahu himself claimed the message was meant for Israeli soldier prisoners there. Reports also suggested that Israeli systems tried to hack into Gazans’ phones to spread the speech.
Netanyahu’s visit to New York was tightly controlled. His plane avoided flying over France, passing instead through Greek and Italian airspace before crossing the Atlantic. Israeli media linked the unusual flight path to the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In 2024, the ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Both face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for the genocide in Gaza.
Ahead of the speech, Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon claimed that the Palestinian mission orchestrated a “staged show” of walkouts. He said the move turned diplomacy into “cheap theater.”
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s office launched a propaganda campaign in New York City. Billboards and trucks around the UN carried the phrase “Remember October 7” to frame his narrative.
