Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his UN General Assembly speech in New York, challenged delegates who left the hall and protesters outside, asking why they ignore the Iranian regime's lethal crackdown on its own citizens. The comments came as demonstrators including Susan Sarandon and Chelsea Manning blocked streets near the UN building.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his address before the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday evening to confront both walkout participants and street protesters, demanding accountability for the Iranian regime's treatment of its own people. As The Zioneer earlier reported, Netanyahu took the stage at approximately 21:00 Jerusalem time amid high security and a diplomatic agenda centered on Israeli national security and the regional threat posed by Iran. In his remarks, he directly addressed those who left the hall and those demonstrating outside, asking: 'When they butchered and maimed thousands of their own people, where were you?' The question referenced the Iranian regime's violent suppression of domestic protests, which rights groups estimate has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties over recent decades. Outside the UN headquarters, several high-profile activists including actress Susan Sarandon, comedian Elliot Page, and former intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning were among those blocking traffic in protest of Netanyahu‘s visit. The walkouts and protests highlight the deep divisions over Israeli policy at the international forum, even as nearly 130 heads of state gathered for the session. Netanyahu’s speech continued after the interruption, and no official reaction from the Iranian mission to the UN has been reported.
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