The Pakistani delegation to the United Nations General Assembly staged a walkout on September 27, 2024, in protest as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address. The Israeli PM’s speech focused on continuing military actions against Iranian-backed fighters in Lebanon, fueling concerns of a wider regional war.
Pakistan, which does not recognize Israel, advocates for an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Since the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, Pakistan has consistently raised the issue at the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other international platforms, urging global action to halt Israeli military activities. Pakistan has also sent multiple aid shipments to Palestine.
A video widely circulated on social media showed the Pakistani delegation, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, walking out of the UNGA hall as Netanyahu took the stage. Netanyahu’s speech further diminished hopes for a ceasefire, which could potentially prevent an all-out war in the region.
Netanyahu declared Israel’s intent to continue its defense, primarily targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon. He accused Iran of orchestrating attacks through various proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, and stated that Israel would persist until its objectives were achieved.
The speech also touched on the ongoing war, which began in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israeli towns, killing 1,200 and taking 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory strikes have devastated Gaza, displacing nearly 2.3 million people and leading to severe humanitarian crises. Over 41,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began, according to Palestinian health officials.
Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s military resilience, stating, “We are winning,” and committed to weakening Hezbollah until Israel’s security goals are met.
