The United Nations General Assembly witnessed an unusual show of protest this week, as dozens of delegates walked out before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium.
The walkouts reflected growing international frustration with Israel’s policies and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
On the same day, Slovenia made headlines by barring Netanyahu from entering its country.
This move comes amid ongoing legal proceedings accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity—an allegation Israel vehemently denies.
Legal Challenges Follow Netanyahu Across Europe
Slovenia’s decision to block the Israeli leader is part of a broader European push against senior Israeli officials.
In July, Israel’s Ministers of National Security, Finance, and Defense—Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich—faced similar entry bans.
The legal scrutiny is tied to allegations highlighted by the UN Human Rights Council’s Independent Commission, which reported at least four incidents in Gaza that could amount to genocide against Palestinians.
Israel has consistently rejected these claims as politically motivated and inaccurate.
UN General Assembly’s 80th Session in Focus
The 80th session of the UN General Assembly kicked off on September 9, 2025, and will continue through September 8, 2026.
The high-level segment, running from September 22 to 30, is traditionally a platform for world leaders to air grievances and outline policy agendas.
Netanyahu left Tel Aviv for New York on the night of September 25, signaling that his speech would focus on criticizing countries that recognize Palestinian statehood.
During his visit, he is also scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump on September 29.
International Criminal Court and Arrest Warrant Controversy
Netanyahu has carefully avoided visiting states that recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant against him.
The ICC accuses him of “crimes against humanity and war crimes” allegedly committed between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024.
Israeli officials have dismissed the warrant, calling it antisemitic and politically motivated.
Reaching Palestinians Directly
In an unusual move, Netanyahu ordered the Israeli military to broadcast his UN speech directly to Palestinians in Gaza.
Loudspeakers mounted on military trucks along the Israeli border will carry his address, reflecting both the high stakes of the message and the tense situation on the ground.