Netanyahu Faces Mass Walkout During UN Speech as He Defends Israel's Gaza Campaign

Benjamin Netanyahu faced a mass exodus during his United Nations address on Friday

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu experienced a significant walkout during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday. As he pledged to continue the devastating military campaign in Gaza, his words were met with both jeers and applause. He insisted that Israel "must finish the job" against Hamas.

He stated that his address was being broadcast through loudspeakers in Gaza to allow Israeli hostages to hear it. Netanyahu also claimed that in an 'unprecedented operation,' Israeli intelligence services had taken control of cell phones in Gaza to stream his speech directly to residents.

"We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you," he said, addressing the hostages. In his message to Hamas, he declared, "Lay down your arms. Let my people go." He added a stark warning: "If you do, you will live. If you don't, Israel will hunt you down."

❗Netanyahu visibly SHAKEN as majority of UN delegates STORM out of General Assembly hall — 'Please ORDER in the hall'

Netanyahu claimed that while "Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure," he assured that "Israel won't."

He denounced nations that have recognized Palestinian statehood, describing their decisions as "disgraceful" and warned they would "encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere."

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has taken a firm stance, declaring, "I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. No, I will not allow it. It's not going to happen," adding, "There's been enough. It's time to stop now."

Netanyahu currently faces war crime charges from the International Criminal Court, along with former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Friday's address represented his opportunity to respond on the international community's most prominent platform.

As Netanyahu spoke, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered near the heavily secured United Nations complex.

"Israel has chosen a war against every conscientious human being in this world," stated Nidaa Lafi, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, prompting chants of "shame" from the growing crowd. "The masses have come to the irreversible realization that this war was always about the complete ethnic cleansing of Palestine, about the exploitation and the stealing of Palestinian land," the Associated Press reported Lafi as saying.

Netanyahu also asserted that Israel is fighting radical Islam on behalf of other countries.

"You know deep down," he stated, "that Israel is fighting your fight."