Bangladesh Denies Presence During Netanyahu’s UN Speech

Bangladesh Strongly Denies Presence During Netanyahu’s UN Speech

Bangladesh has categorically rejected social media claims suggesting that its delegation was present in the UN General Assembly Hall during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech on Friday, describing the allegations as “baseless” and “propaganda of the fallen forces.”

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder dismissed the rumors, stating clearly that the Bangladesh delegation, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, was not in the hall during Netanyahu’s address at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

“Lies are their only recourse now,” Azad said, clarifying that the Chief Adviser had official engagements earlier in the morning that made attendance during the speech impossible. Prof Yunus had two pre-scheduled meetings on Friday morning. The first, at 9:00 AM (New York time), was with senior members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, a prestigious forum of former presidents and prime ministers from around the world, held at his hotel.

The second was a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Bhutan at UN Headquarters at 10:30 AM.

By the time the Bangladesh delegation entered the General Assembly Hall following these meetings, the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, was delivering his speech.

“This is verifiable,” Azad added, noting that the speeches of the leaders of Israel, Pakistan, and China had already concluded by then.

The response from Dhaka came after images and claims circulated online alleging Bangladesh’s presence during Netanyahu’s controversial address, in which he defended Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and criticized global opponents.

As Netanyahu spoke, dozens of delegates walked out in protest, leaving many seats empty. Shouts of protest were heard from the floor, while scattered applause came from supporters in the gallery. In a symbolic gesture, Iran’s delegation left behind photos of children allegedly killed in Israel’s June offensive in Gaza.

Facing mounting international pressure, Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech, insisting that Israel “must finish the job” against Hamas. He also condemned recent recognition of Palestinian statehood by several nations, labeling the moves “disgraceful” and claiming they would “encourage terrorism against Jews and innocent people everywhere.”

In contrast, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus later addressed the Assembly with what observers described as a “powerful call” for global justice, reform of international institutions, and renewed international solidarity.