The Tongan Government has rejected reports suggesting its delegation joined a mass walkout during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, confirming a Tongan representative remained in the chamber.
The clarification follows widespread international coverage of the dramatic scenes at the UN General Assembly, where dozens of delegates left the chamber as Mr Netanyahu took the podium.
However, confusion emerged over exactly which countries participated in the protest.
An Israeli count subsequently identified 77 countries whose delegations were either absent from the chamber or left at the beginning of Mr Netanyahu’s address.
The published list included Tonga.
But Israeli officials themselves acknowledged that not all 77 countries had participated in the organised walkout. Some delegations were simply not present for the address, while others physically left the chamber in protest.
That distinction was central to Kaniva News’ decision to seek confirmation directly from the Tongan Government rather than report that Tonga had participated in the walkout.
The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Tonga’s position to Kaniva News this morning.
Elizabeth Kite, Communications and Engagement Advisor to the Prime Minister of Tonga, described claims that Tonga had walked out as false.
“We are unsure as to why anybody is believing these false claims of Tonga walking out when Israel delivered their statement, as this is a highly televised and public event which clearly shows — when watched — that Tonga was in fact one of the countries that remained seated,” Ms Kite told Kaniva News.
“This is available on UN Web TV, and many other platforms.
“Tonga did not walk out, and we had a representative present during Israel’s statement.”
Reports suggesting Tonga had joined the protest had also prompted strong reaction on social media, particularly among Tongan supporters of Israel.
International footage showed scores of delegates leaving the General Assembly chamber as Mr Netanyahu approached the podium, amid boos, cheers and calls from the General Assembly president for order.
The Israeli Prime Minister responded to those leaving by telling the assembly: “If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t yet left this hall, please do so now.”
Tonga has previously sided with Israel and the United States in significant UN votes concerning Israel. In December 2025, Tonga was among just 12 countries that voted against a General Assembly resolution welcoming an International Court of Justice advisory opinion concerning Israel’s obligations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
