When Netanyahu Came, Everyone Left

TEHRAN (Iran News) This scene captured a vivid image of the growing isolation of the Zionist regime on the international stage, especially in the wake of operations described as genocide in Gaza.

One of the most powerful images in international diplomacy is that of “empty seats.” This image does not speak through shouting, but with the eloquence of absent presence and resounding silence.

As Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, began his speech, the main hall of the General Assembly emptied dramatically in less than a minute. Reports and photos indicated that representatives of more than a hundred countries present at the session left the hall. This action, a “symbolic collective boycott,” sent a clear and unprecedented message about the regime’s status in international institutions.

The emptying of the UN hall by the overwhelming majority of countries was not a mere simple protest. This move should be interpreted as a clear sign of the “diplomatic isolation” of the Zionist mentality.

When representatives of dozens of countries, including many Arab, Islamic, African, Asian, and even some Latin American nations, refuse to listen to the leader of Israel, it reflects the depth of global dissatisfaction with the policies of this illegitimate regime. This event shows that the Palestinian issue is no longer a marginal topic but has become a central concern in the international community, creating a broad consensus against Israel’s actions.

This action was a form of “indirect yet very powerful condemnation.” By leaving the hall, countries openly declared their position without needing to issue strong statements or engage in debates and disputes. They demonstrated that they not only oppose the content of Netanyahu’s speech but also question the political legitimacy of the speech itself, delivered by the representative of an illegitimate regime under scrutiny for repeated violations of international law and UN resolutions.

This boycott in silence, in a situation where no practical measures are being taken to stop these crimes, spoke louder this year than any words or actions could.

This event occurred in a specific context: the unprecedented escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip and the high number of civilian casualties, including women and children. Reports by human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, which accused Israel of committing war crimes, had deeply influenced global public opinion. The emptying of the UN hall reflected the anger and disgust of the international community toward these developments. This act amounted to a collective vote of confidence in support of the Palestinian people and against Israel’s narrative.

Although the United States and some of Israel’s close European allies remained in the hall, the mass departure of other countries demonstrated that the traditional “unconditional support” for Israel is breaking and fragmenting.

Even some of Israel’s traditional allies, while staying in the hall, have adopted more critical positions. This scene clearly showed that the foundations of international support for Israel are weakening and that the diplomatic cost of continuing its current policies is increasing dramatically for this corrupt regime. In fact, this action strengthens the legitimacy and diplomatic standing of Palestine in international institutions and shows that their calls for justice have gained global attention. It places Israel under unprecedented psychological and diplomatic pressure and warns its leaders that continuing the status quo will only deepen their isolation.

From another perspective, this event represents a significant shift in global discourse. Criticism of Israel’s policies, once considered taboo, has now become a more widely accepted position among the majority of countries in the world.

Overall, the emptying of the UN General Assembly hall during the speech of the prime minister of this regime created a historic and memorable moment. This was not merely a symbolic protest but a tangible manifestation of a geopolitical shift. The decline of the legitimacy of Zionism in the eyes of the majority of the international community, embodied by those empty seats, was a silent yet powerful cry against a regime whose actions and policies are unacceptable to the world.

This move sent a clear message to Israel: that military solutions and disregard for the rights of Palestinians will only increase its isolation and the international condemnations it faces.