Delegates Walk Out Before Netanyahu's UN Speech, Prompting His Response

<p>A mass walkout of delegates occurred before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly, leading to a strong response from the leader. As Netanyahu began his speech, numerous delegates from various countries exited the chamber in New York City, with protest chants audible as the U.N. president called the assembly to order.</p><p>Upon taking the stage, Netanyahu remarked, "Before I begin, just a quick announcement, if there are any other moral cowards who haven't yet left this hall, please do so now," which was met with cheers from the remaining delegates.</p><p>Netanyahu continued his address by outlining what he described as the stakes of the conflict involving Iran. He stated, "Devastating Iran's nuclear facilities was hard, it was very hard to do, but for me, it was one of the easiest decisions I've ever had to make as prime minister. Because if we hadn't done it, we'd all be dead." He added, "In defending itself, Israel is also defending many of the countries whose delegates just left this hall. In fact, I want you to know that many of the leaders even thanked us privately for taking out Iran's nukes."</p><p>Netanyahu characterized the situation as "mind-blowing hypocrisy" and continued to address the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has drawn criticism towards Israel's actions in the region. Protests were reported both inside the U.N. chamber and outside the building, with notable figures such as Elliot Page and Susan Sarandon participating.</p><p>Despite the protests, Netanyahu delivered a resolute message, asserting to critics, "You don't know what you're talking about." He framed Israel's struggle as one for its own survival and that of other nations against what he termed "barbarians."</p><p>He stated, "For the past three years, our heroic soldiers have fought day in and day out in a seven front war. Do you know any other country the size of New Jersey capable of fighting a seven front war? And for three years, seven fronts Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iran, militias in Iraq, militias in Syria, Palestinian terrorists in Judea, Samaria, they all ganged up on us to wipe us off the face of the earth, they failed. Because instead of collapsing, we delivered crippling blows to all of them, with our great American friends."</p><p>Netanyahu challenged the protesters and delegates who left, asking, "Where were you when the Iranian tyrants butchered and maimed tens of thousands of unarmed Iranian civilians? When they butchered and maimed thousands of their own people? Where were you? Did you organize mass rallies, hunger strikes? Did you protest outside the Iranian mission to the UN? Did you speak out for that matter, for Christians persecuted in Iran and throughout the Middle East?"</p><p>He expressed gratitude towards President Donald Trump for U.S. actions against Iran, stating, "In this battle against the barbarians, we've had no greater partner than President Trump. I thank him for his bold leadership. He boldly confronted an enormous danger to America, Israel and the world."</p><p>Netanyahu also criticized detractors, referring to what he called "the eighth front in this war," which he described as "the war for truth" waged in media and social media. He specifically addressed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, labeling him as "anti-semitic" and asserting, "Mr. Mamdani, you try to stop me from coming here. You tried to silence me. Well, you can't silence me. You can't silence the truth."</p>