Maldives among nations that boycott Israel’s Netanyahu’s UNGA address

The Government of Maldives states Maldivian delegation was among delegations from various nations that walked out in protest when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address at the 79^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79).

In an act of boycott, delegations of many nations walked out of the premises when Netanyahu began his address; protesting Israel’s ongoing war and genocide in Gaza and the recent launch of attacks on Lebanon.

The government’s Chief Spokesperson Heena Waleed confirmed that the Maldivian delegation was among the delegations that walked out of the premises.

Heena, via a post on X on Friday night, said the delegation walked out as a notion of the special regard accorded to Palestine by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and in respect of the efforts being undertaken by the President in advocating for Palestine.

Heena also noted that President Muizzu had pledged Maldives’ continued efforts to secure international recognition of Palestine as an independent nation during his meeting with Palestinian President Dr. Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.

President Muizzu, in his address at UNGA79, advocated for Palestine while calling  Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and its repeated destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, humanitarian infrastructure and repeated killings of men, women, children, and babies numbering in thousands is a travesty of justice and the international system.