NewzEmirati 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Khalifa later posted: “It’s not our problem if you run! That’s how bridges are built," posted Rauda Altenaiji, who describes herself on her X profile as a "seeker of bold ideas".
"We don’t do it teenager-esque style. We Dubai It, even in politics 🇦🇪🇦🇪." UAE did NOT Walk Out for Netanyahu's Speech pic.twitter.com/7EZ9JVx1r0— Ryan Rozbiani (@RyanRozbiani) September 24, 2026 The posts were met with ridicule and anger from other users, who interpreted the UAE’s presence as a signal of public support for Israel. You ran from every child bleeding in Gaza,” one user replied to Khalifa.
Others highlighted Abu Dhabi's role in Sudan's bloody war, where it backs t…
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