In a recent display of diplomatic disdain, several delegates at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) made a conspicuous exit as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ascended the podium to deliver his address.
This mass departure, according to RedState, occurred after days of intense discussion regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza and potential solutions to the nearly two-year war.
The delegates' response to Netanyahu was a stark contrast to the warm reception Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas received when he addressed the international body virtually the previous day. As reported by RedState, a significant, albeit unspecified, number of delegates chose to walk out on the Prime Minister of Israel.
This is a nation that stands as the sole beacon of democracy in the Middle East, allowing religious minorities, including Muslims, to serve in their Parliament and military. Yet, these same delegates applauded Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, a non-existent country whose populace overwhelmingly supports Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terror groups.
Despite the walkout, Netanyahu was not deterred. As he began his address to a nearly empty hall, it was revealed that his speech was being broadcast on speakers surrounding the Gaza Strip and streamed to Gazans' cell phones. This strategic move ensured that his message reached a much wider audience than just the U.N. delegates.
Abbas, in his speech the previous day, had condemned Israel's "genocide" in Gaza, declared his party's readiness to assume control of the enclave's security and governance, and appealed to President Donald Trump for peace. He also demanded "full membership in the United Nations," a call that has gained traction as several European nations have recognized a Palestinian state during the course of the UNGA.
"Palestine is ours. Jerusalem is the jewel of our hearts and our eternal capital. We will not leave our homeland. We will not leave our lands," Abbas declared.
However, despite having a larger audience in the hall than Netanyahu, Abbas was unable to witness the proceedings in person. The State Department had denied his visa to travel to New York for the conference, citing his support of terrorism.
This incident at the UNGA has reignited the debate over the United States' continued membership in the United Nations. Critics argue that the organization has outlived its usefulness, becoming a haven for dictators. They point to the appointment of representatives from some of the world's most repressive nations to "human rights" councils and the expectation that the United States should foot a fifth of their operating budgets.
The UNGA's recent actions, including the delegates' walkout during Netanyahu's speech and their applause for Abbas, have only added fuel to this argument. It's a clear indication of the organization's bias and a compelling reason for nations like the United States and Israel, who value democracy and individual freedom, to reconsider their participation in the United Nations.
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