UN delegates walk out as Netanyahu defends Israel’s actions

NEW YORK, United State — 25 September 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative speech at the 81st United Nations General Assembly on 24 September, defending Israel’s actions in the region as dozens of delegates walked out of the chamber in protest.

The speech came as Netanyahu faces growing international criticism over the war in Gaza, with Israel’s general election scheduled for 27 October, less than five weeks away.

The divisions over Israel’s military campaign were evident from the start of his speech, as dozens of delegates left the hall. Netanyahu called those who walked out “moral cowards.”

Netanyahu also accused Qatar and Türkiye of spreading what he described as lies about Israel.

Qatar rejected the accusation, with a Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson saying on X that Netanyahu’s repeated attacks were aimed at diverting attention from his government’s responsibility for policies on the ground.

With the election less than five weeks away, Netanyahu’s long speech took on the tone of a campaign address and was broadcast during prime time on all four major Israeli television channels.