New Delhi: A heated exchange unfolded on X (formerly Twitter) between Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, over the ongoing war in Gaza, Palestine.
In her post, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that Israel was committing “genocide” in Gaza, claiming over 60,000 deaths, including 18,430 children, and accusing the Indian government of “shameful silence” amid mass starvation.
She wrote, “Over 18,000 children killed, thousands starving, and the world watches. Humanity is dying in Gaza.”
Ambassador Azar responded directly on X, accusing her of spreading “Hamas propaganda” and calling her statement “deceitful.”
He countered, “Israel has killed 25,000 Hamas terrorists, not civilians. We have delivered over two million tonnes of food to Gaza. Don’t buy casualty numbers from Hamas.”
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He also cited a 450% increase in Gaza’s population over the last 50 years as evidence against genocide claims.
The online confrontation quickly drew political reactions. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the envoy’s language was “unacceptable for a diplomat,” while Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi demanded a formal response from the Ministry of External Affairs.
BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, however, defended the envoy’s remarks and accused Congress of siding with Hamas.
The spat comes as the Israel-Hamas war enters its 22nd month, with tens of thousands dead and Gaza facing severe humanitarian and hunger crises