UN General Assembly 2026: Walkout during Netanyahu's speech, and Middle East wars in spotlight

What Happened

During the fourth day of the 2026 UN General Assembly, global leaders addressed the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran and the conflict in Gaza. Somali President Mohamed Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reported that the conflict has caused a 40 percent decline in his country's customs revenue and increased food and fuel prices. Meanwhile, European Union Council President Antonio Costa reaffirmed support for the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, condemning US sanctions against court officials. Separately, Yemeni Vice President Abdullah Abdulkader al-Alimi-Bawzer called for international action against Houthi militias, while Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sabah Al Khaled condemned Iranian attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure within Kuwait.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The statements at the UN General Assembly underscore the widening economic and security repercussions of the US-Israeli war on Iran and the conflict in Gaza, particularly regarding global maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. The diplomatic friction between the European Union and the United States over the legitimacy of international courts further complicates the international response to the ongoing hostilities.

Watch For

Monitor potential new US sanctions against the International Criminal Court, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, and any further developments regarding the security of maritime transit in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb strait.