Emirati influencers celebrate UAE sitting for Netanyahu’s speech to UN amid walkout

As Benjamin Netanyahu began addressing the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday, delegates from dozens of countries left the hall in a collective protest for the second year in a row.

Representatives from a group of mainly western nations remained as the Israeli prime minister lashed out at critics, international media, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and leftwing pundit Hasan Piker, among others - and denied that his country was committing a genocide in Gaza. 

Among the countries whose representatives remained for his speech, noted many social media users, was the United Arab Emirates. 

While most online commentators criticised the decision, Emirati social media figures celebrated it, framing it as a peacemaking, exemplary and defiant move.

Read more: Emirati influencers celebrate UAE sitting for Netanyahu’s speech to UN amid walkout