Can an Ambassador tell residents of his “host” country ‘what to do and what to say‘
Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar reacted sharply to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s allegations accusing Israel of genocide in Palestine.
Using strong language, Azar said, “what is shameful is your deceit. Israel Killed 25,000 Hamas terrorists. The terrible cost in human lives derives from Hamas’s heinous tactics of hiding behind civilians, their shooting of people trying to evacuate or receive assistance and their rocket fire.”
“Israel facilitated 2 million tonnes of food into Gaza while Hamas tries to sequestrate them, thereby creating hunger. Gaza population has grown 450% in the last 50 years, no genocide there. Don’t buy Hamas numbers,” he said, leaving many netizens wondering whether an Ambassador of any country can publicly comment on a sitting MP of his host country.
His language, in particular, drew equally sharp comments with some also pointing whether an Ambassador can tell residents of his “host” country what to do and what to say
Priyanka had tweeted, “The Israeli state is committing genocide. It has murdered over 60,000 people, 18,430 of whom were children. It has starved hundreds to death including many children and is threatening to starve millions.”
She also condemned global silence, stating, “Enabling these crimes by silence and inaction is a crime in itself”. She criticized the Indian government, adding, “It is shameful that the Indian Government stands silent as Israel unleashes this devastation on the people of Palestine.”
The Congress general secretary has been raising voice against Israel’s actions in Gaza and expressing solidarity with Palestinians. Last year in December she was spotted carrying a handbag emblazoned with the word “Palestine” and Palestinian emblems, including a watermelon – seen as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.
It followed a meeting with Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazar, Charge d’affaires of the Palestine Embassy, who has called on to congratulate the Congress leader on her election from Kerala’s Wayanad.
Earlier in 2024 Priyanka had also slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what she had said were the Israel government’s “genocidal actions” in Gaza and accused his government of “barbarism”. The remarks came after Netanyahu defended Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza in a speech to the US Congress.
