New York:United Nations: Scores of delegates walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall in protest as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the general debate of the 81st session.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Netanyahu used his speech to defend Israel's military actions in Gaza and other regions against growing international criticism and diplomatic isolation. He rejected allegations of genocide in Gaza, asserting that Israel "didn't commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide." Netanyahu also accused several countries, including Western European nations, of "succumbing to the antisemitic mobs" and not standing with Israel.
As Netanyahu began his speech, dozens of delegates left the hall, resulting in a significant number of empty seats. He labeled the delegates who walked out as "moral cowards" and accused his critics of spreading lies about Israel.
Earlier, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the assembly via pre-recorded video, claiming that the existence of the Palestinian people is under threat and that the two-state solution has been severely undermined. Abbas stated that Palestinians in Gaza are facing killing, destruction, starvation, attempted forced displacement, and "a war of genocide," while in the West Bank, settlement expansion is accelerating.
Abbas warned that Israeli extremism is expanding its colonial project to create "Greater Israel" and called for increased international efforts to preserve the two-state solution. He criticized the U.S. decision to deny visas to the Palestinian delegation for a second consecutive year and urged Washington to lift sanctions and restrictions against Palestine.
Thanking countries that banned products from Israeli settlements, Abbas urged the U.S. to honor its commitment to prevent the annexation of Palestinian territory, emphasizing, "We will not leave our homeland, we will not accept displacement, we will not allow anyone to decide our future on our behalf."
Outside the UN headquarters, hundreds of demonstrators gathered to protest Netanyahu's appearance and express support for the Palestinian people.