Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shared details of how he deliberately avoided any interaction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the United Nations General Assembly session last month.
While addressing a multi-party conference in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz recounted that upon learning Netanyahu would speak right after him, he made a conscious decision to avoid eye contact. He was also informed that Netanyahu would be waiting in the same room where leaders prepare before delivering their speeches.
Shehbaz described how he positioned himself to avoid any interaction. “When Netanyahu was about to come to address the UN session, I was told that he might enter the same room where I was sitting. I thought to position myself opposite the door so he wouldn’t see me,” he explained. “Even if he saw me, I wanted to avoid any chance of shaking hands with him.”
Pakistani Delegation Led by PM Shehbaz Sharif Walks Out During Israeli PM’s UN Speech
The prime minister expressed relief that such a moment never occurred. He further emphasized that the Pakistani delegation walked out of the session as soon as Netanyahu took the podium to deliver his speech.
The delegation, led by PM Shehbaz, also included Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Science and Technology Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram.