Dozens of countries just walked out on Israel at the UN

Benjamin Netanyahu stood up to speak at the UN a few hours ago.

And dozens of countries got up and walked out before he said a word.

He was addressing the UN General Assembly's 81st session in New York. As he walked to the rostrum, there were cheers, there were boos, and then scores of delegates just left. Some had already gone moments earlier. Others never sat down at all. By the time he actually started talking, most of the seats in that hall were empty.

So how many countries is that? Israeli media reports say 77.

But here's the thing. The UN itself hasn't confirmed that number. There's no official tally. It's an estimate from Israeli outlets, not a roll call. It's being repeated everywhere, but it isn't confirmed.

And this walkout wasn't just people losing patience. The Palestinian Mission to the UN had asked member states beforehand to bring their staff and walk out together the moment Netanyahu was announced.

Khalilur Rahman, the President of this year's General Assembly, kept calling for order as delegates filed out.

Netanyahu noticed. He looked at the room and says quote "if there are any other moral cowards" who hadn't left, they should go now.

That's Netanyahu naming the walkout himself, from the podium, while it was still happening.

He kept talking anyway. He thanked Donald Trump, the US President, for what he called decisive action against Iran. He says quote "one of the easiest decisions I've ever had to make", talking about Israel's decision to attack Iran. He said Israel would keep winning because it has no other choice. The Guardian reported he also promised to finish the job in Gaza, while people were still walking out around him.

And this isn't new for him. A similar walkout happened at his UN speech last year too. Two years running, he's opened his mouth at the General Assembly, and watched the room empty out.