Netanyahu Responds to Mass Walkout During UN Speech

<p>A mass walkout of delegates before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly prompted a response from the Israeli leader.</p><p>As Netanyahu took the stage, numerous delegates from various countries exited the chamber in New York City. Chants of protest were audible as the U.N. president called the assembly to order.</p><p>After beginning his speech, Netanyahu stated, "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 elicited cheers from the remaining delegates.</p><p>The Israeli leader continued by discussing what he described as the stakes of the conflict in Iran. He claimed, "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."</p><p>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 one of hypocrisy, stating, "It's hard to imagine more mind blowing hypocrisy, but that's exactly what it is."</p><p>The protests occurred amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with Israel facing criticism over its actions in the region. Netanyahu's address was met with protests from delegates inside the U.N. chamber and demonstrators outside, including celebrities Elliot Page and Susan Sarandon.</p><p>Despite the protests, the prime minister maintained a defiant stance, telling critics, "You don't know what you're talking about."</p><p>He framed Israel's fight as one for its own survival and the survival of all nations against "barbarians."</p><p>Netanyahu remarked, "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>He addressed 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?" He concluded, "No, no, you didn't, because you're phony human rights protesters."</p><p>Netanyahu 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>He emphasized that Israel and America acted together not only to protect themselves but to save civilization, saying, "He understood that if left unchallenged, the fanatic ayatollahs who chant, 'Death to America, death to Israel,' would eventually carry out their mad fantasies."</p><p>Netanyahu also criticized detractors, referring to what he termed "the eighth front in this war," which he said is "the war for truth," waged in the media and social media.</p><p>He specifically called out New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, labeling him as "anti-semitic," and addressed Mamdani directly, stating, "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>