Arutz ShevaPolitics17:10

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana Delivers Strong Speech in Rome, Receives Thanks in Hebrew

By חזקי ברוך

Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba

RightCharged tone

Hebrew · 8 newsrooms covering

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana delivered a strong speech in Rome on Thursday, refuting genocide accusations against Israel and criticizing European leaders. He presented a book symbolizing the Holocaust and urged support against terrorism. The speech concluded with applause and a thank you in Hebrew from the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Petra Bayer.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana rejected genocide accusations against Israel in a speech to European parliamentary leaders in Rome.
Petra Bayer, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, thanked Ohana in Hebrew after his address.
Ohana criticized European leaders for adopting what he called false accusations against Israel for political reasons.
He presented a book symbolizing the Holocaust to illustrate the meaning of "never again."
Ohana called on European nations to stand with Israel against extremism and terrorism.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana delivered a forceful speech to parliamentary leaders in Rome on Thursday, rejecting accusations that Israel is committing genocide. Following his address, which concluded with applause from attendees, Petra Bayer, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, thanked Ohana in Hebrew, saying "Toda raba" (thank you very much).

During the Council of Europe gathering, Ohana addressed the allegations of genocide against Israel in the Gaza Strip, the Hamas attack of October 7, and the international community's role in combating terrorism. He sharply criticized European leaders for adopting what he called false accusations against Israel for political reasons.

"Everyone in this room knows the truth, Israel is not committing genocide. Enough of this despicable lie," Ohana stated. A pivotal moment occurred when Ohana presented a 1,250-page book titled "And Every Single One Was Someone," which reportedly contains the word "Jew" six million times, commemorating the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. "This is what real genocide looks like!" he declared, explaining the book is a permanent fixture on his desk in the Knesset as a reminder of the commitment to "never again."

Ohana urged representatives to stand with Israel in the fight against extremism and terrorism, concluding, "This time, stand on the right side of history, with us." His speech was met with applause, after which Bayer thanked him in Hebrew.

During his visit to Rome, Ohana is holding meetings with parliamentary leaders and delegations from European countries to strengthen inter-parliamentary ties and present Israel's positions.