Israel calls for the resignation of the UN Secretary General and accuses him of justifying Hamas attacks
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres provoked anger at Israel with comments at the UN Security Council on Tuesday that called for his resignation. Guterres condemned Hamas’ attacks, but noted that “they do not come out of nowhere, the Palestinians have been subjected to an oppressive occupation for 56 years.” In addition, he said he was concerned about the Israeli army’s “clear violations of the International Humanitarian Law” in Gaza.
Guterres also noted in his speech that “at a crucial moment like this” it is crucial to make it clear that war also has its rules, starting with the fundamental principle of respect and protection of civilians. After denouncing the “oppressive occupation,” he also acknowledged that “the suffering of the Palestinians cannot justify the terrible attacks of Hamas. And these terrible attacks cannot justify collective punishment of the Palestinians.”
Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan called Guterres’ comments “surprising.” “His statement that ‘Hamas attacks don’t come out of nowhere’ expresses an understanding of terrorism and murder,” he said on The Holocaust has such a terrible vision.” Hours later, he caused even more excitement on the same network with a message in which he accused Guterres of having “lost touch with reality” and declared that “he must resign.” “A Secretary General who seeks justification for the terrible massacre of us [los israelíes] He cannot remain in office. “Every day he remains in office from now on is a disgrace and shows that the UN has no right to exist!” he wrote.