The Bangladesh delegation, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, was not present in the United Nations General Assembly Hall during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address on Friday, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing has confirmed, dismissing viral social media claims to the contrary as baseless propaganda.
Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder strongly refuted online allegations that Bangladesh representatives were seated during Netanyahu’s speech, describing them as deliberate misinformation spread by "fallen forces" seeking to undermine the interim government’s diplomatic position.
"Lies are their only recourse now," Azad said, noting that Professor Yunus had two pre-scheduled official engagements in New York on Friday morning, well before the delegation entered the UNGA hall.
According to the official schedule, the Chief Adviser first met with representatives of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, a global forum of former heads of state and government, at his hotel at 9.00 am local time. He then held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Bhutan at the UN Headquarters at 10.30 am.
"By the time the Bangladesh delegation entered the General Assembly Hall, the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, was already delivering his national statement," Azad clarified. "The speeches of the leaders of Israel, Pakistan and China had concluded well before our arrival."
Netanyahu’s speech, marked by defiant rhetoric defending Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, was met with widespread protest. Dozens of delegates from Arab, African and Latin American nations walked out as he took the podium. Inside the hall, empty seats symbolised diplomatic rebuke, including Iran’s delegation, which left behind a photo display of children it claims were killed in Israeli strikes in June.
Addressing the assembly amid audible shouts and scattered applause, Netanyahu declared, "We must finish the job" against Hamas and accused Western leaders of "buckling under pressure." He also condemned recent moves by several countries to recognise Palestinian statehood, calling them "disgraceful" and warning they would "encourage terrorism."
Bangladesh has consistently supported the Palestinian cause and does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. The government’s absence during Netanyahu’s address aligns with its long-standing foreign policy position.
The Press Wing stressed that Bangladesh’s participation in the 80th UNGA session remains focused on multilateral cooperation, climate justice and global peace – principles Professor Yunus is expected to highlight in his own address to the Assembly later this week.
Officials urged the public to rely on verified government communications and disregard malicious disinformation aimed at distorting Bangladesh’s principled international stance.
Source: UNB