Turkish delegation walks out of UN Assembly in protest of Netanyahu’s speech
Turkish delegation, led by permanent representative to U.N., Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz (2nd L), and many others leave U.N. General Assembly to protest ahead of Israeli PM Netanyahu's speech, New York, U.S., September 27, 2024. (AA Photo)
Turkish delegation, alongside many others, walked out of the U.N. General Assembly on Friday in protest ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech.
Led by Türkiye’s permanent representative to the U.N., Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz, the delegation exited the hall just before Netanyahu took the podium to address the 79th session.
Several other delegations followed Türkiye’s lead, leaving the assembly in solidarity.
Netanyahu defends Israel’s atrocities
During his speech, Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions in recent conflicts, stating, “Israel wants peace, but we face barbaric enemies. Our enemy seeks to destroy us and our civilization.”
He also presented a map showing Palestinian territories as part of Israel, while referring to the region encompassing Syria, Iraq, and Iran as a “curse.”
Protests erupt in New York against Netanyahu
Netanyahu’s appearance has drawn significant criticism, with International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan reportedly seeking an arrest warrant for him over war crimes.
Meanwhile, in New York, protests erupted against Netanyahu’s UN address, with Palestinian supporters and anti-war activists demonstrating outside. Clashes between protesters and law enforcement led to several arrests.
