Belarusian President Says Israel Is Committing Genocide and Depends on the U.S.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko sharply attacked Israel in a wide-ranging interview on Monday, using the platform to criticize Israeli policy on Gaza, Iran and relations with Washington. Speaking to Al Arabiya, he said there is no military solution to the Middle East conflict and argued that the war between Israel and Iran should end through negotiations. According to a report by N12, he said the U.S. was drawn into the conflict because of the mistaken policy of some American leaders.

Lukashenko said Israel had developed an international reputation with no room left to continue after bombing Gaza. He asked, “What kind of Holocaust can justify the killing of so many people, especially women and children?” and added, “They erased everything there from the face of the earth.” He also said, “Israel needs to come to its senses and think about its continued existence, otherwise even nuclear weapons will not help it.”

The Belarusian leader, who has ruled since 1994 and is often called “the last dictator in Europe,” is a close ally of Vladimir Putin and relies on that alliance to maintain power, while cracking down harshly on political opposition. He also claimed recent events showed “how dependent Israel is on the United States.”

Referring to reports of tensions between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, Lukashenko said Trump’s criticism had a direct effect on Israel’s conduct. “When Trump scolded Netanyahu, something changed,” he said. “It showed Israel’s total dependence on the United States.”