Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened the UN General Assembly on Friday, sparking a walkout by several delegates and a surge of protests outside the New York headquarters as the Gaza conflict enters its 30th week.

The address, delivered before a packed assembly of 145 countries, defended Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and characterised the region as a "terrorist stronghold". Netanyahu said the operations were necessary to protect Israeli civilians after the October 7 attack by Hamas militants.

In the courtyard, thousands of demonstrators – including Palestinian activists, human‑rights NGOs and members of the diaspora – held banners demanding a ceasefire. They shouted slogans calling for an end to hostilities and for the release of Palestinian detainees.

"The war must end now," one protester shouted, "and we will not stop until it does."

protest outside UN building

At 9:12 a.m., a delegation of 12 members of the European Parliament staged a walkout after Netanyahu’s remarks. The move, coordinated by the European Commission’s delegation, was announced on social media as a statement of "disapproval" of the Israeli stance. The parliament said it would "re‑evaluate its relations" with Israel following the address.

The walkout and protests follow the Security Council’s earlier failure to pass a resolution demanding a humanitarian ceasefire, after Russia and China exercised their vetoes. The General Assembly had previously voted on a non‑binding resolution condemning the violence, but no binding measures have been adopted.

Israel’s campaign has been criticised by several UN agencies for alleged disproportionate use of force. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported that over 30,000 civilians have been displaced in Gaza, and that the blockade has severely restricted aid access.

Netanyahu’s speech came amid a broader diplomatic push to hold Israel accountable for what critics say are violations of international law. The European Parliament’s walkout is one of the most visible signs of growing pressure on the Israeli government, which has seen its approval ratings drop in many countries.

The United Nations will continue to monitor the situation and will convene a follow‑up session on 27 September, where further resolutions are expected to be tabled. The next meeting will include a debate over a possible humanitarian pause in Gaza and the status of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The ongoing protests and diplomatic manoeuvres highlight the increasing isolation that Israel faces on the world stage as the Gaza war persists. The international community remains divided, with some countries backing Israel’s right to self‑defence, while others call for a negotiated ceasefire and humanitarian relief.