Netanyahu Brings Pager to UN, Faces Walkout and Protest During Speech

Darwin, September 25 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brought a pager to the United Nations General Assembly while delivering a speech, using it to highlight Israel’s 2024 pager attack against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, dozens of delegates from various countries walked out of the hall at the beginning of his address. Netanyahu’s speech was met with boos and protests. NDTV reported.

Speaking at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday (September 24), Netanyahu claimed that Israel had been forced to fight on “seven fronts” over the past three years. He questioned how a country the size of New Jersey could fight on seven fronts for three years.

The departure of numerous delegates at the beginning of his speech left a large section of the assembly hall empty. Members of Netanyahu’s own delegation stood and applauded him in support. The presiding officer repeatedly called for order during the session. Netanyahu later described those who walked out as “morally cowardly.”

During his speech, Netanyahu referred to Iran as a “murderous dictatorship.” He claimed that Israeli and US military operations against Iran had prevented the country from developing the capability to produce nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu said he had pledged to prevent Iran from advancing toward the development of nuclear weapons aimed at destroying Israel. He also remarked that the fall of Iran’s leadership was not far away.

However, the Iranian government remains in power and continues its confrontation with the United States in the Strait of Hormuz.

Referring to the 2024 attack against Hezbollah, Netanyahu held up a pager during his speech. Widespread reports indicated that explosives had been planted in pagers used by Hezbollah members as part of an Israeli intelligence operation. The devices later exploded, killing and injuring Hezbollah members as well as civilians.

Holding up the pager, Netanyahu said, “Remember the beepers? I can tell you, Hezbollah certainly remembers them.”

Netanyahu also attacked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him a “dictator.” He accused Turkey of supporting Iran-backed Hamas.

The Israeli prime minister also launched a sharp attack on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Calling Mamdani “antisemitic,” Netanyahu claimed that many Jewish people in New York no longer felt safe after Mamdani was elected mayor. Mamdani had previously issued strong criticism of Netanyahu.

Netanyahu also expressed anger toward the United Kingdom and France. Criticizing accusations of colonialism against Israel, he referred to the two countries’ own colonial histories.

Netanyahu’s visit to New York was brief. He travelled to the city to address the United Nations amid intensifying election campaigning in Israel. No meetings with top US leaders had been scheduled during his visit.

Source: NDTV