An Israeli diplomat was filmed moving around the United Nations General Assembly hall and recording the delegations that had left during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address on Thursday.
The unusual scene followed a mass walkout as Netanyahu approached the podium during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Video footage showed an Israeli delegation member moving from one section of the hall to another and checking the seats occupied by national delegations. Reports said the official appeared to be documenting which delegations had departed.
Dozens of Delegations Leave Hall
Dozens of representatives left the chamber as Netanyahu began his speech. Reports identified countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Türkiye, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Algeria, Qatar, Tunisia and others among those whose representatives were seen leaving or whose seats were empty.
However, reports cautioned that there was no independently verified official list of every country that participated in the walkout. Some delegations may simply have been absent from the session rather than deliberately leaving in protest.
The Palestinian Mission had urged UN missions to participate in a coordinated walkout when Netanyahu was introduced.
Netanyahu Responds to Walkout
Netanyahu continued with his address despite the departures. He criticized the diplomats who left and described them as “moral cowards.”
He also defended Israel’s military actions and rejected allegations that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Israel has consistently denied the allegations and disputed accusations of war crimes.
The walkout created a striking scene inside the General Assembly chamber, with significant sections of the hall empty as Netanyahu delivered his speech.
