MURIC Blasts Nigeria Over UNGA Stance on Palestine, Netanyahu

MURIC Blasts Nigeria Over UNGA Stance on Palestine, Netanyahu

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has launched a scathing criticism of Nigeria’s conduct at the 2026 United Nations General Assembly, accusing the Federal Government of failing to give the Palestinian crisis the attention it deserves.

MURIC said Nigeria’s failure to include the Palestinian question in its position paper, coupled with its decision not to join countries that walked out during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address, was deeply regrettable.

The group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, made the allegations in a statement issued on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

MURIC described Nigeria’s performance at the international gathering as “shocking, woeful, deplorable and despicable,” arguing that the country should have taken a stronger position on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

According to the organisation, Nigeria failed to include the Palestinian question in its position paper presented during the UN General Assembly on Thursday, September 24.

The group further alleged that Nigerian delegates declined to join 77 other countries whose representatives walked out of the General Assembly chamber during Netanyahu’s speech.

MURIC: Gaza crisis cannot be ignored

MURIC said Nigeria’s position was particularly disturbing against the backdrop of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the international legal controversy surrounding Netanyahu.

“Bearing in mind the universal notoriety of the Israeli Prime Minister, the fact that he is now an international criminal who has been declared wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the horrendous crimes against humanity committed by Israel against the people of Gaza, we consider Nigeria’s performance at the international event as shocking, woeful, deplorable and despicable,” Akintola said.

The organisation also cited casualty figures which it said showed the scale of the devastation in Gaza.

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MURIC stated that more than 73,922 Palestinians had been killed, while about 174,995 others had been wounded.

The group said Gaza’s medical facilities had been stretched beyond their limits, while large parts of the territory had suffered extensive destruction.

According to MURIC, women and children constitute a substantial proportion of those affected by the conflict.

Food, water, electricity crisis

The Islamic rights organisation also raised concerns about what it described as prolonged shortages of essential supplies in Gaza.

MURIC alleged that Palestinians had endured shortages of food, water, fuel and electricity, with children and pregnant women among those affected.

The group further claimed that homes were still being demolished and that children in Gaza had been deprived of normal access to education.

“The people of Gaza had no food, no water, no fuel and no electricity for months. Children and pregnant women are among the Palestinian victims deprived of essential facilities. As we speak, hundreds of Gaza homes are being demolished. Gaza children cannot go to school,” the statement said.

‘Hold Nigerian government accountable’

MURIC called on Nigerians who are concerned about justice and human rights to scrutinise the Federal Government’s position on the Palestinian issue.

The organisation urged Nigerians to demand explanations for Nigeria’s diplomatic decisions at the United Nations, particularly its decision not to participate in the walkout during Netanyahu’s address.

“We charge Nigerians who believe in justice, fairness and the interconnectivity of humanity to hold the current government of Nigeria accountable for smearing the image of our great country, for mortgaging its future and for hobnobbing with capitalist imperialists who are bent on oppressing poor nations of the world,” Akintola said.

The group also called on Nigeria’s human rights community to publicly speak out over the country’s position on Palestine.

MURIC urges human rights groups to speak up

“We urge the Nigerian human rights community to speak up on Nigeria’s regrettable stance on the Palestinian question,” the statement added.

MURIC’s criticism comes amid continuing international debate over the war in Gaza, the humanitarian situation in the territory and the diplomatic positions adopted by governments at the United Nations.

The organisation maintained that Nigeria, as one of Africa’s major diplomatic powers, should pay greater attention to issues of civilian protection, human rights and the Palestinian question when taking positions at international forums.

MURIC Blasts Nigeria Over UNGA Stance on Palestine, Netanyahu