Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuked the decision by several countries to unilaterally recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.

Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal have all decided to recognize the country of Palestine this week as a response to the Israeli military’s ongoing operations in Gaza.

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“You know what message the leaders who recognize the Palestinian state this week sent to the Palestinians? It’s a very clear message: Murdering Jews pays off,” Netanyahu said. “Well, I have a message for these leaders: When the most savage terrorists on Earth are effusively praising your decision, you didn’t do something right. You did something wrong, horribly wrong.”

The Israeli prime minister was the first speaker of Friday’s morning session and his approach to the lectern spurred a large-scale walkout of delegates.

“Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere,” Netanyahu continued. “It will be a mark of shame on all of you.”

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The recognition of a Palestinian state and the ongoing war have been among the most prominent topics of conversation during the UNGA.

“In the days immediately following October 7, many [world leaders] supported Israel, but that support quickly evaporated when Israel did what any self-respecting nation would do in the wake of such a savage attack: We fought back,” he continued.

The reception Netanyahu received is indicative of the international community’s stance on continued Israeli operations in Gaza, which have long raised concerns about the humanitarian conditions for civilians in the besieged enclave.

Netanyahu, during his speech to the half-empty room, disputed claims that Israel’s military operations amounted to a genocide and that there is a shortage of food and humanitarian supplies entering Gaza.

The question of whether a genocide is occurring is a disputed legal question, though there’s widespread agreement among experts that Israel is not allowing enough aid into Gaza to adequately support the entire civilian population.

The prime minister frequently offered praise to President Donald Trump, one of, if not his biggest, ally on the world stage for his support.

Trump agrees with Netanyahu that recognizing a Palestinian state in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks that ignited the conflict would amount to rewarding Hamas for carrying it out.

Yet, Trump has also recently found his limit on support for Israel’s continued military action.

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On Thursday, Trump said in the Oval Office that he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. There are members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition who have been laying the groundwork for such an action.