Israel’s Netanyahu uses Holocaust ceremony to brush off international pressure against Gaza offensive
- Netanyahu denounced a ‘volcano of antisemitism’ and international criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza
- Israel has been waging war against the Palestinian Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 7
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected international pressure to halt the war in Gaza in a fiery speech marking the country’s annual Holocaust memorial day, declaring: “If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone”.
The message, delivered in a setting that typically avoids politics, was aimed at the growing chorus of world leaders who have criticised the heavy toll caused by Israel’s military offensive against Hamas militants and have urged the sides to agree to a ceasefire.
But he also said he remains committed to an invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite widespread international opposition because of the more than 1 million civilians huddled there.
“I say to the leaders of the world: no amount of pressure, no decision by any international forum will stop Israel from defending itself,” he said, speaking in English. “Never again is now.”