Large-scale protests over Netanyahu's UN General Assembly speech
When Netanyahu took the podium at the UN General Assembly, representatives of 77 countries left the hall; Susan Sarandon was detained during the protests in New York.
Quick Look
- As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech at the UN General Assembly, the delegations of 77 countries left the hall.
- Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder were detained in simultaneous protests in New York.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip and its policies towards Palestinian territories are criticized at the international level.
In the footage, many delegations were seen leaving the General Assembly hall before Netanyahu started his speech. When Netanyahu took the podium, it was seen that most of the seats in the hall were empty and the protesters were chanting slogans.
According to reports in the Israeli press, representatives of 77 countries were not in the hall during Netanyahu's speech. While some of the delegations left the hall just before the speech, it was stated that representatives of some countries were not in their seats from the beginning.
Here is the full list of those countries:
AFRICA — 28 COUNTRIES
Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Comoros, South Africa, Senegal, Djibouti, Angola, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Eritrea, Chad, Central African Republic, Madagascar, Niger, Botswana, Uganda, Lesotho, Eswatini, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya.
ASIA — 24 COUNTRIES
Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Maldives, Myanmar, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen.
EUROPE — 6 COUNTRIES
Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, San Marino.
LATIN AMERICA — 17 COUNTRIES
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, Guyana, Suriname, Belize, Barbados, Bahamas, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda.
OCEANIA — 2 COUNTRIES
Tonga, Tuvalu.
WIDE REFLECTION IN THE ISRAELI PRESS
The events also received wide coverage in the Israeli media.
While public broadcaster Channel 14 described the scene in the hall as "spitting in the face of Israel", Yedioth Ahronoth described what happened as a "dramatic protest".
Haaretz, on the other hand, evaluated Netanyahu's speech as repetitive and boring. While the newspaper argued that the speech was mainly aimed at Netanyahu's right-wing voter base and US President Donald Trump, it drew attention to the Israeli Prime Minister's increasing international loneliness.
“WE WILL FINISH THE WORK IN GAZA”
British newspaper The Guardian reported that Netanyahu promised to "finish the job" on the Gaza issue when the delegations left the hall in protest.
The Washington Post described the walkout as "part of a harsh global reaction against Israel's policies."
The British Independent newspaper commented that Netanyahu was already addressing a single audience.
HOLLYWOOD STARS IN CUSTODY
Protests were also held in New York around the time Netanyahu spoke at the UN Headquarters.
Demonstrators gathered near Times Square and chanted slogans calling for an end to Israel's war in the Gaza Strip.
The protest at the UN General Assembly took place at a time when the war in Gaza continues and international criticism continues regarding Israel's policies towards Gaza and the Palestinian territories.
Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon and Hacks star Hannah Einbinder were among those detained after the police intervened in the demonstration organized in New York by the 'Jewish Voice for Peace', a pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist political group, to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Open Questions
- What will be the future diplomatic steps of the protesting countries?
