Pakistan stages walkout as Netanyahu takes podium after Shehbaz’s speech at UNGA
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following his address to the United Nations General Assembly, led a walkout in protest as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited to speak. The Pakistani delegation joined him in exiting the session.
Sharif, after finishing his speech, had returned to his seat when Netanyahu was called to the podium. The walkout served as a strong gesture of dissent from Pakistan. Delegations from other countries also protested and staged walkout during the Israeli prime minister's address.
In his address, Sharif condemned Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza, labelling it a "genocidal war" and a humanitarian disaster. He painted a grim picture of the suffering endured by Palestinian civilians, particularly women and children, and called for an immediate end to the violence.
“Our hearts bleed as we witness the tragedy unfolding in the Holy Land,” Sharif said. "This is not just a conflict; it is the systematic slaughter of innocent people and an assault on the very essence of human life and dignity.”
He urged the international community to stop the bloodshed and work toward a lasting peace, advocating for a two-state solution with a sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al-Sharif) as its capital.
“Can we remain silent while children lie buried under the rubble of their homes? The blood of Gaza’s children stains the hands not just of the oppressors but also of those complicit in prolonging this cruel conflict,” Sharif stated emphatically.
Sharif also demanded that Palestine be admitted as a full member of the United Nations, stressing the urgent need for action to safeguard Palestinian lives.
For three days, global leaders at the General Assembly session have condemned the atrocities in Palestine, urging an end to Israeli aggression. Pakistan's walkout was the most notable protest recorded during Netanyahu's address, further amplifying the call for justice in Gaza.