Iran's Khamenei Slams Netanyahu as UN Diplomats Stage Mass Walkout

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took direct aim at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, describing Israel as “the most hated and isolated regime in the world today.” The remark came after a dramatic moment during Netanyahu’s address, when diplomats from numerous countries staged a mass walkout in protest. The event quickly became a defining image of the day, overshadowing the speech itself and dominating international news coverage.

Khamenei shared his scathing assessment on his official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, posting a photograph of Netanyahu at the UN podium along with a caption that pointed to Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation. His comment was widely interpreted as a reaction to the walkout, which was seen by many observers as a rare, unified diplomatic stance against Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and its controversial domestic policies.

Netanyahu’s 41-minute speech was delivered in a tense atmosphere, but much of its content was eclipsed by the spectacle of dozens of diplomats leaving the room as he began. The walkout was a powerful symbolic gesture, signaling international frustration with Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza and its approach to the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite Netanyahu’s attempt to present Israel’s case to the world, the walkout sent a louder message: a growing number of nations no longer wish to legitimize the Israeli government’s narrative on the global stage.

International media outlets were quick to highlight the incident. CNN titled its report “Delegates Walk Out During Netanyahu’s Speech,” choosing not to focus on the content of the address. The network also released video footage capturing the exact moment representatives exited the chamber. The New York Times described the address as a “defiant speech after dozens walked out,” while also drawing attention to a peculiar visual detail: a QR code displayed on Netanyahu’s suit jacket, which sparked confusion and discussion online.

British newspaper The Guardian shared a GIF of the mass walkout and emphasized Netanyahu’s vow to “finish the job” in Gaza, a reference to his pledge to defeat Hamas. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail caused a stir by quoting Netanyahu as saying that “Western recognition of Palestine shows that killing Jews is effective”—a remark that was widely condemned and led to renewed criticism of his rhetoric.