Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of turning a blind eye to what she described as Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza, drawing a swift and sharp rebuttal from Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar.
Her remarks came as the death toll from nearly two years of conflict in Gaza climbed to about 60,000, with Reuters reporting that many of the recent deaths were linked to starvation and malnutrition. Distressing images of emaciated children have been widely shared online, intensifying international outrage against Israel.
Posting on X in the early hours, Gandhi alleged: “The Israeli state is committing genocide. It has murdered over 60,000 people, 18,430 of them children. It has starved hundreds to death, including many children, and is threatening to starve millions. Enabling these crimes through silence and inaction is itself a crime.”
She went on to criticise the Indian government directly, saying, “It is shameful that the Indian Government stands silent as Israel unleashes this devastation on the people of Palestine.”
Azar hit back publicly, urging Gandhi not to rely on what he termed “Hamas numbers.” Quoting her post on X, the envoy wrote: “What is shameful is your deceit. Israel killed 25,000 Hamas terrorists. The terrible cost in human lives stems from Hamas’s tactics — hiding among civilians, firing rockets, and shooting at people trying to evacuate or receive aid. Israel has delivered 2 million tonnes of food into Gaza, but Hamas seizes it, creating hunger. Gaza’s population has grown 450% in 50 years; there is no genocide. Don’t buy Hamas numbers.”
Gandhi’s criticism also extended to the killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in an Israeli strike near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. She described the attack as “cold blooded murder” and said, “The immeasurable courage of those who dare to stand for the truth will never be broken by the violence and hatred of the Israeli state.”
Al Jazeera identified one of the journalists killed as Anas al-Sharif, saying he and four colleagues were inside a tent used by media personnel when it was hit in what the network called a targeted attack. The Israeli military later confirmed the strike, claiming it had killed a Hamas cell leader posing as an Al Jazeera journalist.
Gandhi praised the slain reporters for their commitment to truth, adding: “In a world where much of the media is enslaved to power and commerce, these brave souls reminded us of what true journalism is. May they rest in peace.”
This is not the first time she has spoken out strongly against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Earlier this year, she condemned an Israeli assault that reportedly killed 400 civilians, including 130 children.
On Monday, the UN Human Rights Office condemned the strike on the journalists’ tent, calling it a “grave breach of international humanitarian law” and urging “immediate, safe and unhindered access to Gaza for all journalists.” The agency said at least 242 Palestinian journalists have been killed since 7 October 2023.
