Pro-Zionist Speech Triggers Walkout at IPU Assembly

Date: 24 October 2023 - 21:56

News ID: ۱۲۰۶۹۵

TEHRAN – The parliamentary delegation of Iran and representatives of many other Muslim states walked out of the opening of the 147th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Angola in protest at a speech in favor of the Zionist regime and against the Palestinian resistance.

The Iranian delegation, led by the vice speaker of the Iranian Parliament, has attended the IPU Assembly in Angola’s Luanda.

During a speech to the inaugural ceremony of the assembly on Monday evening, IPU President Duarte Pacheco adopted a biased attitude in favor of the Zionist regime and branded the Palestinian resistance as terrorist groups.

The delegation of Iran, including several lawmakers and Iran’s accredited ambassador to Angola, as well as the representatives of many other Islamic nations walked out of the meeting in protest at the IPU president’s comments.

The Muslim delegations returned to the assembly after Pacheco’s speech and gave a sharply worded response to his stances against the Palestinian resistance.

Afterwards, President of Angola Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco took the podium and voiced concern about the situation in the Gaza Strip.

He also stressed the need for collective action to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged enclave.

At least 5,300 Palestinians have been killed and thousands of others wounded in Israeli attacks since October 7, when Hamas launched a surprise operation outside Gaza.