South Korea’s president Lee Jae Myung has sparked a rare diplomatic clash with Israel after sharing a 2024 video on social media that showed Israeli soldiers pushing a body off a building in the occupied West Bank.
In his post, Lee compared wartime killings, the Holocaust, and Japan’s sexual enslavement of Korean women during its colonial rule, saying there was “no difference” in human suffering. The reference to the Holocaust drew sharp condemnation from Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which called his remarks “unacceptable” and accused him of trivializing the massacre of Jews on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Israel also criticized Lee for citing what it described as a “fake account” of an incident that had already been investigated two years ago. “Mr. President, it’s always better to check before posting,” the ministry said.
Lee later clarified that the video was indeed from September 2024 and had been condemned by the United States at the time. He stressed that international humanitarian law must be respected under all circumstances and that human dignity must remain a top priority.
The footage, filmed in Qabatya near Jenin, showed Israeli soldiers throwing lifeless bodies from a building during a counterterrorism operation. The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged at the time that the incident did not align with its values and said it was under review.
Israel’s response comes amid growing international criticism of its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. While European nations have been vocal, it is unusual for an East Asian leader to publicly challenge Israel.
Lee doubled down on his stance over the weekend, saying it was “disappointing” that Israel had not reflected on global criticism of its actions. He added, “When I am in pain, others feel that pain just as deeply.”
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry later attempted to ease tensions, saying Israel had “misunderstood the intent” of Lee’s remarks, which were meant as a statement on universal human rights rather than a direct attack. The ministry reiterated condolences to Holocaust victims.
Still, Lee continued to emphasize his message, writing on Sunday that sovereignty and human rights must be respected and that “aggressive war must be denied.” Israel has yet to respond to his latest comments.
This episode highlights how humanitarian concerns and historical memory can quickly escalate into diplomatic disputes, especially when sensitive references like the Holocaust are involved. It also underscores Lee’s willingness to speak out on global human rights issues, even at the risk of straining ties with a long-standing partner.
