Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko attacks Israel over Gaza and Holocaust remarks

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko sharply criticized Israel in an interview with the English-language channel Al-Arabiya, saying Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip have badly damaged its standing in the world. He accused Israel of causing extensive harm to civilians in Gaza and said, “What Holocaust can Israelis talk about? They themselves killed so many people, women and children. Gaza has been wiped off the face of the earth.”

Lukashenko also argued that Israel now faces a deeply negative image internationally because of the war, saying its reputation is “at a very low point.” He added that, in his view, Israel is entirely dependent on the United States and that Washington could force a halt to military operations if it chose to do so.

The Belarusian leader extended his remarks to wider regional conflicts, saying he sees no military solution to disputes in the Middle East or Europe. “There is no military solution,” he said. “There are many challenges that can only be solved around the negotiating table.”

Lukashenko has ruled Belarus since 1994. In recent years, Western countries and human rights groups have accused his government of suppressing political opponents, restricting free speech, and undermining independent media.