Hamas slams Netanyahu’s UN speech: He should be in prison to face trial for crimes

Hamas has criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the UN General Assembly, describing it as full of lies and slogans and saying it reflects the crisis he faces over Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank.

In a statement responding to Netanyahu’s speech, Hamas said his “blatant lies” could no longer convince governments or international public opinion, saying Israel’s actions in Gaza had exposed its policies of starvation, deprivation of water and destruction of the means of life.

Hamas rejected Netanyahu’s claim that the Israeli army is “the most moral army in the world”, saying this contradicted the killing of civilians in Gaza, including women and children, as well as reports by independent UN bodies on violations in the territory.

The group said Netanyahu’s denial of what it described as systematic genocide in Gaza was contradicted by UN reports and what the world had witnessed directly, including killings, starvation and destruction. It also cited statements by Israeli soldiers and officers celebrating the killing of civilians, as well as calls by Israeli ministers and far-right leaders for Palestinians to be killed and displaced.

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Hamas said the departure of a large number of delegations from the General Assembly hall during Netanyahu’s speech reflected what it described as growing international isolation of the Israeli government and broader international support for Palestinians and their right to self-determination and statehood.

The group also warned of Israeli plans in the occupied West Bank, saying Netanyahu denied the existence of the Palestinian people there and provided political cover for settler attacks. It called for opposition to these policies and attacks.

Hamas also criticised the decision to allow Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, to address the General Assembly, saying he should instead be in prison and face justice under international and humanitarian law.

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