New Delhi, Aug.13.2025: Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks were searing. She cited casualty figures — over 60,000 killed, including 18,430 children
Israeli envoy’s deceit response triggered a fierce diplomatic and political firestorm in India in August 2025. This blunt rejoinder came after Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The ensuing exchange exposed tensions within India’s foreign policy discourse, stirring discussions on diplomatic norms and freedom of expression.
“The Israeli state is committing genocide. It has murdered over 60,000 people, 18,430 of whom were children… Enabling these crimes by silence and inaction is a crime in itself. It is shameful that the Indian Government stands silent…”
In direct response, Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar fired back:
“What is shameful is your deceit. Israel killed 25,000 Hamas terrorists … Israel facilitated two million tonnes of food into Gaza… Don’t buy Hamas numbers.”
This Israeli envoy’s deceit response became the focal point of criticism across Indian political and media circles.
Priyanka Gandhi’s Genocide Allegation
Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks were searing. She cited casualty figures — over 60,000 killed, including 18,430 children, and accused Israel of intentional starvation and genocide.
She also condemned the killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza as “cold-blooded murder” and a “heinous crime,” lauding journalists’ courage against widespread media compliance.
Israeli Envoy’s Fiery Rebuttal
The response — branded here as Israeli envoy’s deceit response — was unprecedented in tone. Ambassador Azar dismissed her allegations, called them deceitful, and argued Israel had inflicted losses due to Hamas tactics, not targeted genocide. Hamas, he claimed, used civilians as shields and obstructed aid.
He also pointed to Gaza’s population growth — 450% over 50 years — as proof against genocide.
Political Outrage and Backlash
Congress Reaction
The Congress Party strongly condemned the Israeli envoy’s deceit response. General Secretary Jairam Ramesh labeled the remarks “totally unacceptable,” also accusing the Modi government of “moral cowardice” for staying silent on Gaza.
Other Political Voices
MPs like Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi blasted Azar’s language as undermining Indian democracy. Khera termed it an “affront to the dignity of Indian democracy,” while Gogoi affirmed India’s traditional belief in nonviolence and rejected lessons from a foreign diplomat.
Saket Gokhale called it shameful that the government allowed a foreign envoy to insult an MP without consequences.
Media and Journalist Responses
Journalists also raised alarms. Ravish Kumar questioned whether Azar’s comment counted as interference in internal affairs. Stanley Johny of The Hindu speculated how Western governments would react if exchange of remarks happened in reverse.
What This Means for India–Israel Diplomacy
This Israeli envoy’s deceit response sheds light on deeper diplomatic undercurrents:
- India maintains a “de-hyphenation policy” toward Israel and Palestine—but this sharp exchange tests that balance.
- It raises fresh questions about freedom of expression for elected representatives in India, and the limits of diplomatic commentary.
With India’s longstanding practice of non-alignment, this episode underscores growing tensions within its diplomatic posture and domestic political space.
The Israeli envoy’s deceit response to Priyanka Gandhi’s genocide claims in Gaza sparked a dramatic, multi-front backlash—highlighting the fragile interplay between foreign diplomacy and domestic politics in India. This episode is poised to shape conversations on India’s international stance and democratic norms in the months ahead.
