UN delegates walk out as Netanyahu addresses General Assembly after Abbas applause

NEW YORK — Delegates at the United Nations General Assembly walked out Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to address the body, a moment that stood in contrast to the reception Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas received a day earlier when he spoke virtually to the assembly.

As Netanyahu took the podium, a subset of delegates rose and left the chamber or redirected their attention away from the speaker, according to observers and briefings from several delegations. The walkouts underscored the enduring divisions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the annual gathering, where members often express divergent views on security, territory and humanitarian concerns. The scene contrasted sharply with Abbas’s remarks on Thursday, which drew a long round of applause from many delegates despite ongoing international debate over the path to a lasting peace.

Abbas used a virtual address from Ramallah to reiterate Palestinian positions on statehood and sovereignty, and to press for international support for Palestinian rights and humanitarian relief. While some delegates welcomed his emphasis on diplomacy and accountability, others in the chamber signaled their disagreement with the Palestinian leadership’s approach or with broader regional policies. The reception Abbas received reflects the broad spectrum of international opinions at the U.N., where the Israeli-Palestinian issue remains a focal point of debate.

The episode at the General Assembly arrives amid a broader effort by the United Nations and its member states to navigate a difficult and often polarized landscape surrounding Gaza and the West Bank. Diplomats say the body remains focused on calls for humanitarian access, civilian protection, and a return to meaningful negotiations, even as violence and political rhetoric persist on the ground. Friday’s turn of events at the podium serves as a reminder of the fragility of international consensus on the conflict and the challenges of translating rhetoric into concrete action.

As the assembly continues its work, officials have not provided a formal comment on the walkouts, and the UN’s schedule for the remainder of the week is subject to change given the day-to-day shifts in participation and emerging geopolitical developments. Observers say the unfolding dynamic at the dais reflects not only the states’ positions on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, but also broader tensions within the international community about how to respond to violence, security concerns, and humanitarian needs in the region.

For readers seeking ongoing updates, the situation at the General Assembly remains fluid, with further speeches and potential votes likely to shape the global conversation in the days ahead.