Ukrainian MP thanks Israel for strike on Iran in Council of Europe speech

Oleksiy Goncharenko, a Ukrainian member of Parliament and president of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), delivered a passionate address this week in which he thanked Israel for its recent military operations against Iran.

Speaking at the Strasbourg-based assembly, Goncharenko praised Israel’s actions as a stand against regional threats. His remarks drew attention not only for their strong pro-Israel tone but also for highlighting shared security concerns between Ukraine and Israel.

The Council of Europe, which includes 46 member states such as Ukraine, is distinct from the European Union. It focuses on promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across the continent.

Goncharenko said: “Let us thank Israel for what they are doing, because we are here only talking. And we are talking and we are talking again. We are making resolutions. But can you stop Iran from having nuclear weapons? With 1,000 resolutions, maybe with 1 million resolutions, can we stop Iran from having nuclear weapons? This mullahs’ regime, which killed so many Iranians – yes, they are killing Iranians every day – this awful regime.”

Executions of political prisoners, minorities, and others remain a daily occurrence in Iran, which has already executed nearly 600 people in 2025 alone, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights Organization.

Goncharenko warned that Iran’s ballistic missiles could easily reach Europe.

“So what do we want? Maybe [an] attack by nuclear strike [on] Strasbourg? Why not? Imagine that Mr. Khamenei will see now this assembly. I want to tell you, dear ladies, he will not like the way you look. He will not like the way we speak here. He will not like us at all. So maybe he will just send a nuclear missile on us,” the Ukrainian politician continued.

He went on to stress that Israel is protecting the most basic values of the Western world – the same values that the Council of Europe claims to promote.

“So, Israel is protecting the basic values we all have here. We’re speaking here about women’s rights. Who is protecting women’s rights in the Middle East? Israel. We’re speaking about democracy. What is democracy in the Middle East? Israel. We’re speaking about human rights. We’re speaking about rule of law.

"Israel, Israel, Israel. So instead of criticizing Israel, instead of attacking Israel, we need to support Israel. If we can’t do nothing, at least let us not intervene and let us not attack Israel, when Israel is doing its job protecting Israel itself… but also all of us. Am Israel chai!"

"Thank you to Israel for what they are doing. Let’s support them, not making any steps to stop them, because what they are doing is important for everybody of us,” Goncharenko concluded.

Earlier this month, the Council of Europe accused Israel of destabilizing the Middle East with the strikes on Iran and of committing “unacceptable acts of brutality” in Gaza:

“The latest attacks by Israel on Iran, which threaten the stability of the entire region, must not make us lose sight of the fact that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached an intolerable level of severity. The killing and injuring of civilians, including those seeking humanitarian assistance, are unacceptable acts of brutality,” the Council stated, adding: “The implementation of a two-state solution remains the only viable path toward a just and lasting peace – the only credible basis for peaceful coexistence based on human dignity and respect for international law.”