The Nigerian delegation remained seated in the United Nations General Assembly chamber as dozens of diplomatic delegations were reportedly absent or walked out when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
According to a tally attributed to Israeli officials, 77 country delegations were either absent from the General Assembly hall or left as Netanyahu began his 41-minute speech.
The tally, however, does not necessarily indicate that all 77 countries staged a coordinated walkout, as some delegations were reportedly not seated in the chamber when the Israeli Prime Minister took the podium.
The countries listed in the tally cut across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania.
Arab Countries — 18
Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia and Comoros.
Asia and Turkey — 14
Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Maldives, Myanmar, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Non-Arab Africa — 20
South Africa, Senegal, Djibouti, Angola, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Eritrea, Chad, Central African Republic, Madagascar, Niger, Botswana, Uganda, Lesotho, Eswatini, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Namibia and Kenya.
Latin America and the Caribbean — 17
Suriname, Panama, Venezuela, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Barbados, Colombia, Dominica, Nicaragua, Peru, Saint Lucia, Bahamas, Bolivia, Cuba, Guyana, Brazil and Chile.
Europe — 6
North Macedonia, San Marino, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spain and Ireland.
Oceania — 2
Tuvalu and Tonga.
Total: 77 countries.
Reports indicated that Egypt and Jordan were among the countries whose representatives did not take their seats for the address, while Pakistan’s delegation reportedly left the chamber and later remained nearby to listen to Netanyahu’s speech.
By contrast, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates were reported to have remained in the General Assembly chamber.
The departures and absences occurred as Netanyahu defended Israel’s military operations and rejected allegations of genocide, against the backdrop of continued international disagreement over Israel’s war in Gaza.
Nigeria’s delegation, however, remained seated throughout the address, according to the account.
