Iceland’s Foreign Minister, Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, has criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s description of Israel’s critics as “moral cowards”, arguing that the phrase should instead apply to leaders who reject negotiations for peace.
Gunnarsdottir made the remarks while addressing the United Nations General Assembly, according to a report by Al Jazeera on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
She warned against becoming accustomed to the suffering of Palestinian civilians as the conflict continues, highlighting the deaths of children, displacement directly to Netanyahu’s use of the phrase “moral cowards”, Gunnarsdottir offered a different interpretation of families and the challenges faced by parents trying to protect their children amid repeated violence.
Referring directly to Netanyahu’s use of the phrase “moral cowards”, Gunnarsdottir offered a different interpretation during her UNGA address.
“We have heard the words ‘moral cowards’ from this podium,” Gunnarsdottir said. “To me, moral cowards are those leaders who refuse to sit down and negotiate a just and lasting peace. Moral cowards are those urged the international community not to allow the destruction in Gaza to become something that receives less attention simply because it has continued who deny access to humanitarian aid for people in desperate need, and those who repeatedly disrespect international law.”
The Icelandic minister also urged the international community not to allow the destruction in Gaza to become something that receives less attention simply because it has continued for an extended period.
She argued that repeatedly rebuilding Gaza after periods of destruction would not address the wider conflict if the issues responsible for the violence remain unresolved.
According to Gunnarsdottir, the humanitarian situation requires sustained international attention rather than acceptance of recurring destruction and reconstruction.
“Repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt” Gaza, she maintained, would not provide a lasting solution while the fundamental issues behind Nations General Assembly, with the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict continuing to feature prominently the conflict remain unresolved.
Her comments came as world leaders gathered for the United Nations General Assembly, with the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict continuing to feature prominently in international discussions.