Priyanka Gandhi Condemns India’s Silence on Gaza, Israel Envoy Responds

On August 12, 2025, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza, criticizing the Indian government’s silence as “shameful” amid what she described as Israel’s devastating actions against Palestinians. In a sharp rebuttal, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar called her claims “deceit,” asserting that Israel has targeted 25,000 Hamas terrorists, not civilians, and facilitated 2 million tonnes of food aid to Gaza. The dispute, heightened by the killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in an Israeli airstrike, has intensified the debate over India’s stance on the Gaza conflict and its diplomatic balancing act.

In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi claimed Israel has “murdered over 60,000 people, 18,430 of whom were children,” and starved hundreds, threatening millions more. “Enabling these crimes by silence and inaction is a crime in itself,” she wrote, condemning the Modi government for its muted response. She also denounced the “cold-blooded murder” of five Al Jazeera journalists, including Anas al-Sharif, in a targeted strike on a journalists’ tent in Gaza City on August 11, praising their courage as a beacon of “true journalism” in a media landscape “enslaved to power and commerce.” The UN Human Rights Office condemned the strike as a “grave breach” of international humanitarian law, fueling global outrage.

Azar responded on X, accusing Priyanka of spreading Hamas propaganda. “What is shameful is your deceit,” he wrote, claiming the civilian death toll stems from Hamas’s tactics of “hiding behind civilians” and obstructing aid. He noted Gaza’s population has grown 450% in 50 years, dismissing genocide allegations, and urged against believing “Hamas numbers.” The Congress, through Jairam Ramesh, called Azar’s response “unacceptable,” condemning the Modi government’s “moral cowardice” in failing to challenge Israel’s actions or the ambassador’s remarks.

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The Gaza conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has resulted in over 61,000 Palestinian deaths, per Gaza’s Health Ministry, with 227, including 103 children, dying of starvation and malnutrition by August 12, 2025.

Israel disputes these figures, but the UN warns of a looming famine, with only 95 aid trucks entering Gaza daily against a needed 600. Priyanka’s outspoken stance, including carrying a “Palestine” bag to Parliament in December 2024, has drawn BJP accusations of “appeasement,” while critics on X, like @ANI, argue she overlooks Hamas’s role. Supporters, however, praise her for highlighting the humanitarian crisis, with @INCIndia amplifying her call for justice.

India’s abstention from UN resolutions on the conflict, including in October 2023, reflects its delicate balancing act, maintaining ties with Israel while facing domestic pressure. The Congress’s cautious approach contrasts with Priyanka’s vocal criticism, which aligns with global calls for action, including a U.S. federal judge’s January 2025 ruling that Israel’s actions “plausibly” constitute genocide.

As India navigates trade tensions with the U.S. and regional rivalries, Priyanka’s remarks highlight a growing domestic debate over its foreign policy silence, while Azar’s retort underscores the fraught India-Israel relationship amid Gaza’s escalating tragedy.

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