Dozens of delegates walked out of the UN General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech on 24 September, according to Al Jazeera.
The walkout took place as the Israeli leader rose to address the assembly, with delegates leaving the chamber as he started speaking. Footage of the moment was carried by both Al Jazeera and the BBC.
During the address, the Israeli delegation could be seen cheering in support of Netanyahu, according to the BBC.
Netanyahu used the speech to defend Israeli military action, the BBC reported. He also responded directly to those who had left the hall, labelling them “moral cowards”.
Al Jazeera reported that a number of countries were among those whose delegates walked out during the speech, in a visible show of protest at the General Assembly.
Why it matters
The walkout during a speech by the leader of a UN member state is a striking public display of division within the international community. It underscores the deep disagreements over Israeli military action that continue to shape debate at the United Nations.