Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a largely empty hall on Friday as many diplomats and officials walked out during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. The protest underscored Israel’s deepening isolation as it continues its war in Gaza. Netanyahu, who faces war crimes charges at the International Criminal Court, has few close allies beyond US President Donald Trump. “Israel will finish the job in Gaza, and we will do so as quickly as possible,” Netanyahu said in his address. Ahead of the speech, Netanyahu instructed Israel’s military to set up loudspeakers around Gaza to broadcast his remarks. He also claimed Israeli intelligence had streamed his words directly onto mobile phones across the territory. The prime minister called on Hamas leaders to “surrender, lay down your weapons and release the hostages.”
