Similar to the past three years, the Maldives delegation, alongside representatives of several other countries, staged a walk out when Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly. 

The Maldives delegation which left the hall when Netanyahu took the stage includes Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam and other officials. 

With large numbers of delegates leaving the hall as he took the stage, Netanyahu hit back at those protesting his presence, and described them as 'cowards'. He then asked 'any more cowards' in the hall to leave as well. 

Netanyahu also responded to previous speakers at the forum who had condemned the genocide in Palestine being conducted by Israel, calling it 'the biggest lie of the century'. 

Netanyahu proceeded to use the speech to defend his actions, including atrocities in Palestine and Israel's part in the war in Iran. 

He argued that the attacks against Iran are a benefit to the world, including the delegations that left the hall in protest of his appearance. He went on to claim that leaders from these nations were secretly thanking him for targeting Iran's nuclear resources. 

Israeli records state that the 2023 Hamas attacks caused 1,221 deaths. In retaliation, Israel started a genocide in Palestine, displacing a large part of its population and blocking essential needs.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports at least 73,928 deaths in Gaza through Israeli strikes, with another 1,330 deaths reported even after a ceasefire agreement. 

The Maldives has persistently condemned Israel's crimes in Gaza, including the genocide against the Palestinian people and the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories in violation of international law.