According to a report by The Times of Israel, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has publicly mocked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a diplomatic walkout during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
In a post on X, Khamenei shared a photo of Netanyahu speaking to a largely empty General Assembly hall and wrote: “Today, the evil Zionist regime is the most despised and isolated regime in the world.”
The walkout, which occurred during Netanyahu’s address to the UN, involved hundreds of diplomats from dozens of countries. The emptying of seats underscored a rare diplomatic snub against the Israeli leader in the international forum.
Netanyahu’s speech, delivered before the walkout, was reportedly met with limited engagement, highlighting the tensions between Israel and several UN member states. The image shared by Khamenei appeared to capture the moment when the General Assembly hall was significantly vacated, amplifying his criticism of Israel’s international standing.
Khamenei’s post directly linked the walkout to what he described as Israel’s global isolation. By calling Israel the “most despised” regime, the Iranian leader framed the incident as a broader reflection of international sentiment toward Netanyahu’s government.
The walkout at the UN represents one of the most visible demonstrations of diplomatic dissent against an Israeli leader in recent years. While such actions are rare, they often signal heightened tensions and disagreements over policies and actions associated with Israel on the global stage.
Khamenei’s remarks and the timing of the post underscore Iran’s ongoing criticism of Israel. By highlighting the empty seats in the General Assembly, the Iranian leader sought to reinforce the narrative of Israel’s isolation and diminishing support among the international community.
The incident at the UN comes amid heightened scrutiny of Israel’s regional policies and its relationships with other countries. While walkouts at the UN have occurred in other contexts, the scale of diplomats leaving Netanyahu’s speech drew attention to the symbolic and diplomatic impact of such actions.