Netanyahu Faces Empty UN Hall Amid Walkout During Gaza Speech
New York, September 26, 2025 â Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered one of the most contentious speeches at this yearâs United Nations General Assembly, but the address unfolded before rows of empty seats. Dozens of delegations staged a mass walkout in protest, leaving only a handful of countriesâincluding the United Statesâinside the hall as he began speaking.
The dramatic exodus reflected growing frustration over Israelâs nearly two-year war in Gaza, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced nearly the entire population. The walkout also underscored how isolated Netanyahu has become on the international stage as criticism of Israelâs military campaign intensifies.
âMust Finish the Jobâ
Speaking defiantly, Netanyahu vowed that Israel would not halt its offensive in Gaza until Hamas was completely defeated. His words were met with scattered applause and occasional jeers.
âIsrael must finish the job,â he declared, reiterating his governmentâs stance that Hamas could never again be allowed to pose a threat to Israelâs citizens.
The Prime Minister framed Israelâs campaign not only as a national defense but as a broader battle against radical extremism:
âYou know deep down that Israel is fighting your fight,â he told the delegates who remained.
Address to Palestinians and Hostages
Despite the half-empty chamber, Netanyahu insisted that his words were reaching Gaza directly. He claimed Israel had installed loudspeakers and hacked mobile phones in the enclave to broadcast his remarks.
Speaking directly to the 48 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, Netanyahu said:
âIsrael has not forgotten you. We will bring you home.â
His message to Hamas was blunt and uncompromising: surrender, release the captives, or face elimination.
âIf you do, you will live. If you donât, Israel will hunt you down.â
Rejection of Palestinian Statehood
The Israeli leader also dismissed recent international moves toward recognizing Palestinian statehood. Countries including the UK and France have announced recognition in recent months, but Netanyahu described such efforts as ânational suicideâ for Israel.
He accused the Palestinian Authority of being âcorrupt to the coreâ and argued that rewarding Hamas or its allies with statehood would only embolden extremism.
US Says Gaza Deal âCloseâ
Netanyahuâs remarks came just hours before US President Donald Trump told reporters that a Gaza ceasefire deal was âvery close.â
âI think we maybe have a deal on Gaza, very close to a deal on Gaza,â Trump said.
But skepticism remains high after multiple failed attempts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release over the past year.
Facing Global Pressure
The Prime Ministerâs appearance at the UN came at a time of mounting international scrutiny. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has filed war crimes charges against Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, further complicating Israelâs diplomatic standing.
Outside UN headquarters, pro-Palestinian protesters staged demonstrations, demanding accountability and an immediate halt to Israelâs offensive.
Humanitarian Toll in Gaza
The war, now approaching its second year, has inflicted catastrophic damage on Gaza. According to local health ministry figures considered credible by the UN, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, and humanitarian groups warn of famine, medical collapse, and the near-total displacement of the enclaveâs population.
Aid organizations continue to sound alarms, describing conditions as among the worst humanitarian crises of the century.
October 7: The Spark of War
Throughout his address, Netanyahu repeatedly referred back to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which killed 1,219 people inside Israel. He recounted the atrocities committed that day, saying that as long as he remained in office, such events would never be allowed to happen again.
Conclusion
Netanyahuâs UN speech highlighted both his governmentâs determination to press forward in Gaza and his growing isolation on the world stage. While he sought to project strength and resolve, the mass walkout of delegates symbolized deepening divisions in the international community.
As the war drags on, the gulf between Israelâs insistence on âfinishing the jobâ and the worldâs calls for peace and accountability appears wider than ever.
Related News
