Chilean President Gabriel Borik, addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of wanting to face trial in an international court for his role in what he termed a “genocide” in Gaza.
This marked Borik’s final address at the UN General Assembly, as his presidency, ending in March 2026, prevents him from seeking immediate re-election in the upcoming November vote.
During his speech, Borik condemned Netanyahu for the ongoing violence in Gaza, referring to it as “genocide,” and criticized other Israeli military actions, including airstrikes in Qatar against possible Iranian interests. He stands out among Latin American left-wing leaders who have notably condemned Israel since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, while also recognizing Hamas’ attacks on Israel and the military responses that followed.
He characterized his denunciation of Netanyahu and the situation in Gaza as a “global crisis,” adding, “at this point, it has already been said here and elsewhere, so beyond our words, they have never died, but they have had their deaths.” He emphasized the tragic loss of innocent lives, stating, “Today, in 2025, thousands of innocent humans lost their lives simply because they are Palestinians.”
Back in June, Borik had accused Israel of committing “ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians and noted that public pain often breeds hatred. He urged the need to channel that pain into a quest for justice, expressing that he doesn’t want violence directed at Netanyahu or his family but prefers to see those responsible held accountable in an international court.
Responding to Netanyahu’s claims about “genocide,” Borik drew parallels between the situations in Ukraine and Gaza, stressing the importance of not remaining passive in the face of others’ suffering. He stated, “Our minds can’t. We can’t allow them to stay motionless in the face of the needs of others like us.”
He continued, “That’s exactly why we established the rules for the advancement of civilization. This is the result of learning from the greatest tragedy we have faced as humanity. These rules are mentioned on this platform, and action must come from this example, but today they’re not being respected.” He added that it’s inappropriate to invite a neutral country to negotiate and then disregard its sovereignty, as witnessed in Qatar.
He also criticized historical interventions, questioning the justification for invading nations under false pretenses while silencing dissent.
Borik remarked, “It is not right to invade a sovereign nation like Ukraine and then impose negotiations on others while expecting compliance from everyone.”
Without naming specific individuals, he took aim at those denying climate change and questioning vaccine safety, asserting that while discussions on solutions are valid, denial of established facts is unacceptable.
In closing, Borik announced Chile’s intention to nominate former socialist president Michelle Bachelet for UN Secretary-General, suggesting her leadership could help the UN regain credibility in addressing contemporary challenges.
Bachelet, who served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2018 to 2022, was present during Borik’s speech and is known for a report that drew attention to China’s human rights abuses, while also facing criticism for her stance on various issues.
