International Desk

Indian Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday ripped into the Israeli government over its war on Gaza - which is now into its 10th month and has killed nearly 40,000 people - and called on the global community to condemn Tel Aviv's "genocidal actions and force them to stop".

"It is the moral responsibility of every right-thinking individual, including Israeli citizens who do not believe in hatred and violence, and every government in the world to condemn the Israeli government... their actions are unacceptable in a world that professes civility and morality."

"It is no longer enough to speak up for civilians, mothers, fathers, doctors, nurses, aid workers, journalists, teachers, writers, poets, senior citizens, and the thousands of innocent children who are being wiped out, day-after-day, by the horrific genocide taking place in Gaza."

Her trenchant criticism of the Israeli government - which she called "barbaric" - followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech Wednesday in the United States.

"... we are subjected to the image of the Israeli Prime Minister being given a standing ovation in the US Congress," she said on X, "He (the Israel leader) calls it 'a clash between barbarism and civilisation'... he is absolutely correct, except it is him and his government that are barbaric."

"...and their barbarism is given unstinted support of most of the western world..."

"It is truly a shame to watch," the Congress leader said.

Israel Prime Minister's US Speech

Mr Netanyahu, addressing a divided US Congress on America's continued support - which has included military aid - declared the nations had to unite for "civilisation to triumph".

Hours before his speech there were massive protests in Washington, D.C.

Crowds carrying Palestinian flags and placards gathered outside the Capitol calling for a ceasefire and Netanyahu's arrest, even as prosecutors seek an international warrant.

Israel has rejected accusations brought by South Africa at the United Nations' top court that its military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide campaign against Palestinians. It has reacted angrily to a decision by the International Criminal Court's prosecutor to seek a warrant against Netanyahu.