Delegates boo Netanyahu, walk out of UNGA when he begins speech

United Nations: Dozens of delegates from multiple nations walked out of the UN General Assembly hall en masse Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stepped up to give a speech about the Mideast situation to the world's leaders and, beyond them, many of its people, the Associated Press reported.

As he spoke, unintelligible shouts echoed around the hall. The US delegation, which has backed Netanyahu in his campaign against Hamas, stayed put.

As he has in the past, Netanyahu held up a visual aid — a map of the region titled “THE CURSE.” He marked it up with a large marker.

Netanyahu faces international isolation, accusations of war crimes and growing pressure to end a conflict he has continued to escalate. Friday's speech was his chance to push back on the international community's biggest platform.

Encircled by critics and protesters at the United Nations, Netanyahu told fellow world leaders on Friday that Israel “must finish the job” against Hamas in Gaza, giving a defiant speech despite growing international isolation over his refusal to end the devastating war in Gaza.

“Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure," he said. “And I guarantee you one thing: Israel won't.”

Responding to countries' recent decisions to recognise Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu said: “Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere.”

“Anti-semitism dies hard. In fact, it doesn't die at all,” Netanyahu said. Netanyahu routinely accuses his critics of anti-semitism.

Netanyahu faces international isolation, accusations of war crimes and growing pressure to end a conflict he has continued to escalate.