Walkout nations – The Times of India
Walkouts are in fashion at UNGA. The platform that sees close to 200 world leaders pontificate on global affairs, has already seen delegates of very many countries turn their back on speakers. Chief MAGA himself triggered the first walkout – Trump’s assertion that he had a choice to make, whether to make a deal with Iran or annihilate the Islamic Republic, saw the Iranian delegation head for the exit. The Cubans cried ‘Ay caramba!’ and followed suit, when POTUS called their country a “failing state”.Not to be outdone, Erdogan got the Israeli delegation to exercise their legs by mentioning the G-word (Gaza, if you are wondering). But, Pezeshkian’s speech only inspired a solitary US delegate to seek fresh air. Pezeshkian needs to work harder to fill his predecessor Ahmadinejad’s big shoes. In 2010, Ahmadinejad had delegates from over 30 countries stomp out, thanks to his voicing the conspiracy theory that Washington itself had orchestrated 9/11.No prizes for guessing the present-day champion of triggering walkouts – for the second year in a row, it was Netanyahu. Last year, delegates from 77 countries exited when he started his address. This year, around 80 countries staged a walkout. The Lion of Judah roared – to empty seats. Reality is, as the world becomes more complicated, even dysfunctional, walkouts at UNGA are only to be expected. Is it time to rechristen UN? Not a talk shop but a walkout ramp.
Disclaimer: Views expressed above are the author’s own.
