Bangladesh has strongly denied claims circulating on social media suggesting that its delegation was present in the UN General Assembly Hall during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech on Friday, calling the allegation “baseless” and “propaganda of the fallen forces.”
Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder dismissed the rumors, stating unequivocally that Bangladesh delegation, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, was not in the hall during Netanyahu’s address at 80th session of UN General Assembly.
“Lies are their only recourse now,” Azad said in response to the misinformation, clarifying that Chief Adviser had official engagements earlier in the morning that precluded attendance during the speech.
According to Azad, Prof Yunus had two pre-scheduled meetings on Friday morning. The first, at 9:00 AM (New York time), was with senior members of Nizami Ganjavi International Center; a prestigious forum of former presidents and prime ministers from around the world, held at his hotel.
The second was a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Bhutan, held at UN Headquarters at 10:30 AM.
By the time Bangladesh delegation entered General Assembly Hall following these meetings, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, was delivering his speech.
“This is verifiable,” Azad added, asserting that speeches of the leaders of Israel, Pakistan and China had already concluded by then.
The response from Dhaka came after images and claims began circulating online, alleging Bangladesh’s presence during Netanyahu’s controversial speech, in which the Israeli leader defended his ongoing military operations in Gaza and lashed out at global critics.
As Netanyahu took the podium, dozens of delegates walked out of General Assembly Hall in protest, leaving many seats empty.
Shouts of protest were heard from the floor, while scattered applause came from supporters in the gallery.
In a symbolic act of protest, Iran’s delegation left behind a display of photos of children allegedly killed in Israel’s June offensive in Gaza.
Facing mounting international pressure, Netanyahu delivered a defiant address, insisting that Israel “must finish the job” against Hamas.
“Western leaders may have buckled under the pressure,” he said. “And I guarantee you one thing: Israel won’t.”
He also condemned recent moves by several nations to recognize Palestinian statehood, calling the decisions “disgraceful” and claiming they would “encourage terrorism against Jews and innocent people everywhere.”
In contrast, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus later addressed the Assembly with what observers described as a “powerful call” for global justice, reform of international institutions and renewed solidarity among nations.
PT/ra
