Dozens of delegates walk out of UN hall at start of Netanyahu speech
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Dozens of delegates at the United Nations walked out of the hall when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech to the General Assembly meeting of world leaders on Thursday. Describing them as "moral cowards," he asked for anybody else who felt that way to leave before he began to talk. (Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Howard Goller)
During the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, several country delegations walked out of the hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address. Netanyahu defended Israel’s military strikes against Iran, which has been met with international criticism over its actions in Gaza and across the Middle East.
As Netanyahu took the podium, people in the public gallery applauded and chanted in support of the Israeli leader. Despite the walkout, Netanyahu continued his speech, devoting a significant portion to justifying the targeting of Iran’s nuclear facilities. He stated that "devastating Iran’s nuclear facilities was hard," but emphasized that it was one of the "easiest decisions" he had to make as prime minister.
Netanyahu recalled his pledge to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, claiming that Israel had fulfilled this commitment through military action. He argued that Israel's actions had benefited other countries, including those whose delegates had left the assembly. Netanyahu also claimed that foreign leaders had privately expressed appreciation for Israel's destruction of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Iran has consistently rejected the allegations that it is pursuing nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has rejected Israel’s justification for the military strikes.
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