Arise TV anchor Rufai Oseni clashed with Israeli ambassador to Nigeria Michael Freeman during a live interview on Friday.
During the programme, Mr. Oseni challenged the ambassador over Israel’s military actions and the number of casualties in Gaza.
Oseni said, “I mean, we can go back historically. I can tell you about the King David Hotel bombings, Argon, Shargon, and all the other atrocities, even Gaza, where Israel initially denied the number of people killed before eventually acknowledging them. And what they are doing in the West Bank… a lot of crimes are being investigated against the Israeli army.”
When Ambassador Freeman tried to respond, Oseni asked him to wait.
“Hang on a minute, let me finish. Do not interrupt me, ambassador. Let me finish,” he said.
Oseni also referred to statements made during a conflict he described as a 12-day war and mentioned comments by Donald Trump and Israel’s allies about Iran’s nuclear programme.
Freeman rejected some of the claims made during the interview.
“Well, before I go to the second part, some of the statements you made in the beginning were outrageous and absolutely based on no facts,” he said.
He added that Israel disputes casualty figures in Gaza released by Hamas authorities.
“For example, Israel still disputes some of the numbers of people in Gaza that the Hamas authorities claim. We absolutely do not accept those figures. Reports suggesting otherwise are simply not true, and I can say that categorically now,” Freeman said.
Freeman said that during the 12-day war, Israel and the United States set back Iran’s nuclear programme.
He also said Iran had continued work on its nuclear activities despite economic problems.
Freeman said Iranian leaders were investing in rebuilding the programme, enriching uranium, developing missiles and supporting armed groups in different parts of the world.
