Knesset Speaker to European Leaders: Israel Isn't Committing Genocide

Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana delivered a strong speech to European parliament heads in Rome on Thursday, during a Council of Europe discussion on Israel and the Middle East conflict. Ohana's address was met with applause, and the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Petra Bayer, thanked him in Hebrew.

Ohana began by criticizing European countries that accuse Israel of genocide, calling it a "despicable lie." He stated that many world leaders profess to value noble principles but are unwilling to defend them when it matters. "Worse, they are those who knowingly lie and cynically support false propaganda to gain fleeting electoral support and illusory quiet in their seething streets," he said.

He then addressed attempts to distort the events of October 7th, emphasizing that it was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. "On October 7th, there was no 'collateral damage'; innocent civilians were not caught in crossfire. They were the targets," Ohana asserted, recounting the Hamas attack involving murder, rape, and desecration.

To illustrate the scale of the Holocaust, Ohana held up a copy of the book "And Every Single One Was Someone," which contains the word "Jew" printed six million times. He explained that the book, which he keeps on his desk, serves as a reminder to never forget and to ensure that "never again" is not an empty slogan. He stated that Israel's responsibility since October 7th is to prevent genocide and ensure that the "axis of evil" cannot threaten Jews again.

Concluding his remarks, Ohana urged the parliament heads to stand on the right side of history in what he described as a global confrontation between civilization and forces of darkness, extremism, and fundamentalism, and forces of freedom and democracy. He specifically called on countries with dark historical chapters to support Israel this time.