Ambassador Tamer Almassri
By George Swarei
July 25, 2024 — In a strongly worded statement, Ambassador Tamer Almassri condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him a war criminal and calling for his immediate arrest. Almassri criticized Netanyahu’s recent speech to the US Congress, describing it as “shameful” and filled with “lies and hate,” highlighting what he perceives as hypocrisy and double standards regarding the situation in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s address, according to Almassri, included attacks on progressive nations and protesters standing in solidarity with Palestine, accusing them of anti-Semitism. Almassri emphasized that Israel is blatantly disregarding UN Security Council resolutions that demand an immediate ceasefire, thereby undermining efforts towards regional peace and stability.
“No words of eloquence, lies, and charisma by Israeli fascist leader Netanyahu will cover the war crimes or shield him from accountability before international law,” Almassri stated. He urged the US to reconsider its support for Israel, which includes providing weapons, financial aid, and political backing. Almassri argued that this support makes the US complicit in the crimes committed against the Palestinian people.
The ambassador expressed gratitude for global protesters and over 50 US Congress members who boycotted Netanyahu’s speech. He stressed that genuine security and peace in the region require compelling Netanyahu’s government to halt its aggression against Palestinians.
“The Palestinian people will not leave their land and will continue to resist the Israeli occupation through all means necessary, permitted under international law, to achieve their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital,” Almassri affirmed.
Almassri also highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, accusing the Israeli military of committing systematic crimes against civilians, including mass killings, forced displacement, and the destruction of property. He pointed to the dire conditions in eastern Khan Yunis and the broader Gaza Strip, where the death toll from recent Israeli military actions has reached 39,145.
As the international community watches, Almassri’s statement underscores the urgent need for intervention and accountability in the ongoing conflict.