From Walkouts to QR Codes: Netanyahu’s Theatrical UN Performance

Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the UN General Assembly was a theatrical performance marked by defiance, props, and a dramatic diplomatic walkout. The Israeli Prime Minister used visual aids, including a QR code linking to footage of the October 7 attacks, in an attempt to control the narrative of the ongoing conflict.
The primary audience, however, had already voted with their feet. More than 100 diplomats exited the hall as he approached the podium, a coordinated protest against his government’s hardline policies. Netanyahu spoke to a largely vacant room, undercutting the impact of his carefully crafted presentation.
His message was one of uncompromising resolve. He vowed to “finish the job” in Gaza and slammed the 157 nations that recognize Palestine, calling the move “insane.” He also issued a stark ultimatum to Hamas leaders: surrender or be killed.
Netanyahu’s office also claimed his speech was broadcast on hijacked phones in Gaza, a psychological warfare tactic that could not be independently confirmed. This blend of media-savvy stunts and aggressive rhetoric defined a speech that seemed aimed at bypassing the diplomatic corps and speaking directly to a global public.