Netanyahu at the UN Amid Delegate Walkouts and Protests in New York
Benjamin Netanyahu UN speech on Thursday, September 24, 2026, became one of the most striking moments of the 81st United Nations General Assembly after dozens of delegates walked out as the Israeli prime minister began speaking, while hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the U.N. headquarters in New York.
Against the backdrop of visibly empty seats inside the chamber and protests in the streets outside, Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions in Iran and Gaza and rejected growing international criticism of his government’s policies.
Dozens of delegates walk out as Netanyahu begins speaking
The most dramatic moment came before the substance of the speech itself.
As Netanyahu took the podium, footage from the Associated Press and Reuters showed dozens of diplomats and delegates leaving the General Assembly hall while other representatives remained seated.
The images of officials moving toward the exits quickly became one of the defining visual moments of this year’s U.N. gathering.
The walkout did not constitute a formal action by the United Nations against Israel, but it carried strong symbolic weight at a time of deep international disagreement over Gaza and Israel’s wider regional policies.
Netanyahu UN speech puts Iran at the center
Netanyahu devoted a substantial part of his address to Iran and defended Israel’s decision to launch military operations against Tehran.
He said attacking Iran had been, in his view, one of the easiest decisions he had ever made, arguing that Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities posed a direct threat to Israel.
Iran says its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes and rejects accusations that it is seeking a nuclear weapon.
The speech came as Washington and Tehran continued indirect diplomatic contacts over the war and the future of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Profile News has been following that dispute in its coverage of U.S. diplomacy, Iran and the wider confrontation at the United Nations.
Gaza returns to the center of the diplomatic confrontation
Gaza was the other major focus of Netanyahu’s address.
The Israeli prime minister defended Israel’s military campaign in the territory and rejected allegations that Israel is committing genocide.
Israel says its operations target Hamas and its military infrastructure, while international criticism has intensified over civilian casualties and the scale of destruction in Gaza.
The speech followed several days of sharply different positions from world leaders on Gaza, Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
Profile News compiled those positions in its report on world leaders at the United Nations and their positions on Iran, Gaza and Hormuz.
A divided chamber: walkouts and applause at the same time
The response inside the General Assembly was not uniform.
While dozens of delegates walked out, representatives from other countries remained in their seats, and applause could also be heard from parts of the chamber.
The contrasting reactions turned the room into a visible reflection of the broader international divide over Israel.
Hundreds protest Netanyahu’s visit in New York
Outside the United Nations, the atmosphere was far more confrontational.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in New York to protest Netanyahu’s visit and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, while police deployed heavily around the U.N. complex.
Reuters documented demonstrations near the headquarters and elsewhere in the city, including protesters blocking streets during the visit.
The following video shows part of the protest in New York as Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly:
مظاهرة في مدينة نيويورك احتجاجا على زيارة رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي بنيامين نتنياهو وإلقائه خطابا في اجتماع الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة#فيديو pic.twitter.com/V3s9XcYKAM
— قناة الجزيرة (@AJArabic) September 24, 2026
Protesters detained outside the United Nations
The demonstrations also led to arrests.
Police detained protesters during sit-ins and street blockades around the U.N. area as officers attempted to keep surrounding roads and entrances open.
Reuters documented detentions during the demonstrations, while other protests were reported elsewhere in Manhattan.
Susan Sarandon joins protesters
Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon was also among those participating in a demonstration outside the United Nations.
Her presence drew additional attention in U.S. media coverage of the protests accompanying Netanyahu’s visit.
Why the walkout mattered
A diplomatic walkout does not by itself change Israel’s legal or political standing at the United Nations.
But the timing and scale of the departures gave the moment strong symbolic and media significance.
Images of diplomats leaving as Netanyahu began speaking spread rapidly across international news outlets and social media, becoming one of the most widely circulated images from his 2026 U.N. appearance.
At the same time, the presence of delegations that remained seated underscored that the international community does not hold a single unified position on Israel or its government.
The United Nations becomes a stage for Middle East divisions
Netanyahu’s speech was not an isolated event during this year’s General Assembly.
Iran, Gaza and the Strait of Hormuz have dominated speeches and diplomatic meetings throughout the week as governments debate how to contain further regional escalation.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in his own address that Tehran remained committed to diplomacy but would not surrender under military pressure, while several Arab and European governments called for de-escalation, civilian protection and freedom of navigation.
Two images defined the day
What gave Netanyahu’s speech its global impact was not only what he said, but the two scenes unfolding at the same time.
Inside the United Nations, diplomats rose from their seats and moved toward the exits.
Outside, hundreds of protesters gathered under heavy police presence.
Between those two images, Netanyahu used the U.N. podium to defend his government’s approach to some of the Middle East’s most consequential conflicts.
What comes next?
Attention now turns back to three interconnected issues: the war in Gaza, Israel’s confrontation with Iran and the diplomatic pressure surrounding both conflicts.
The next question is whether the political protests seen inside the General Assembly will lead to new diplomatic moves in the days ahead.
Profile News continues to track developments through its 24-hour breaking news page.
Sources
- Associated Press — Delegates walk out as Netanyahu begins UNGA address
- Reuters — Delegates walk out during Netanyahu’s address
- The Guardian — Protests in New York during Netanyahu’s visit
