As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stepped up to the podium to deliver an address at the United Nations General Assembly Friday morning, members of the meeting rose from their seats and left the room. Those who left were met with applause.
The walkout comes as world leaders accuse Netanyahu of being a war criminal and repeatedly call for an end to the genocide in Gaza, in some cases threatening military intervention or else pledging support for a proposed U.N. peacekeeping mission.
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Earlier this week, France and Saudi Arabia held a summit of world leaders during the U.N. General Assembly.
The goal of that summit was to revive the long-thwarted two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
The summit followed official statements from Britain, Canada, Australia, France and Portugal formally recognizing a Palestinian state.
Palestinian state
Netanyahu addressed countries that have pledged their support for a Palestinian state, as he said he would on Thursday. He said Israelis “will not commit national suicide” by allowing the creation of a Palestinian state.
He addressed world leaders who recognized such a state in recent days, saying, “We will not allow you to shove a terror state down our throats.”
‘Genocide’ in Gaza
Netanyahu also addressed what he calls “the false charge of genocide” in Gaza, saying if Gazans don’t have enough food, it’s Hamas’ fault.
However, Netanyahu is subject to an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
He called those charges “antisemitic lies.”
Netanyahu acknowledged that there are still 20 hostages, even reading their names aloud.
During the address, the prime minister also spoke directly to the hostages, claiming that he surrounded Gaza with speakers connected to the U.N. microphone.
“Our brave heroes, this is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking to you live from the U.N.,” Netanyahu said when addressing the hostages directly. “We have not forgotten you, not for a second. The people of Israel are with you … We will not rest until we bring all of you home.”
Netanyahu also addressed those holding hostages in Gaza, saying, “Lay down your arms, free the hostages now … If you do, you will live. If you don’t, Israel will hunt you down.”
Trump’s position
President Donald Trump reaffirmed his stance against recognizing a Palestinian state during his address at the U.N. on Tuesday.
On Thursday, however, Trump said he told Netanyahu that he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.
The president’s comments come as Netanyahu moves to divide and annex the West Bank further amid fervent protests from fellow world leaders — including U.S. allies.
When speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said, “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. No, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen. … There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”
UN actions
The United Nations General Assembly has formally proposed a Palestinian government that explicitly excludes Hamas.
That proposal earned the widespread support of most of the world’s nations and also has the support of Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who spoke to the General Assembly on Sept. 25.
