This Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council was once again the scene of mutual statements and accusations between member states. This came as part of the organization’s search for a solution to the escalating conflict between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas. On the other hand, in response to statements made by António Guterres, Secretary General of the international organization, Israel announced the cessation of issuing visas to UN members on its territory.
First change: October 26, 2023 – 04:35
4 mins
The back-and-forth in the United Nations Security Council continues as the process moves toward adopting a resolution shedding light on the U.N.’s actions in the face of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
This Wednesday, the Hebrew State reiterated its firm stance against the criticism it has received in recent days from various world leaders. Specifically, the country continued the exchange with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and assured that it would stop issuing visas to members of the international organization.
Israeli anger is largely due to Guterres’ comments about the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th. This Tuesday, the official assured that the surprise attack by the Islamic group was due to “56 years of occupation” and that it “does not come from nowhere”. In light of these statements, the Israeli Foreign Minister called for Guterre to resign from his position.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres before a Security Council meeting on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., October 24, 2023. Portal – SHANNON STAPLETON
In addition, Gilad Erdán, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, assured on October 25 in a dialogue with his country’s Army Radio that the implementation of the suspension of visas for UN personnel has begun. The official also highlighted the visa denial of UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths.
“It is time to teach senior UN officials a lesson,” Erdán said.
In parallel, the Israeli Foreign Ministry today published a statement on its
The UN Secretary-General’s harsh assertions in his speech to the Security Council sparked anger and astonishment and tarnished both him and the organization he leads.
The Secretary-General’s allegations reflect a biased and distorted attitude toward Israel on the part of the…
— Israeli Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 25, 2023
However, in his accusations against Guterres, he asserted that the official justified and legitimized Hamas’ attacks. At the same time, she called on him to “retract his words, conduct a deep personal examination of conscience and apologize for his statement, which has disturbed millions of Israelis who are still suffering from the consequences of the murderous terrorist attack of October 7th.”
In his defense, Guterres said on Wednesday that he was “astonished by the distortion” of his statements to the Security Council. Nevertheless, he claimed that “nothing can justify the premeditated murder, the kidnapping of civilians, or the firing of rockets against military targets” and “unequivocally condemned Hamas’ acts of terrorism in Israel.”
Controversy on the international political stage
Israel’s questions were not only directed at Guterres: Turkey also received an avalanche of criticism. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asserted on October 25 that Hamas is “not a terrorist organization” but a “group of liberation fighters.”
Following the Turkish president’s comments, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat assured in his Islamic State. ”
Israel firmly rejects the Turkish president’s harsh words about the terrorist organization Hamas.
Hamas is a despicable terrorist organization, worse than ISIS, that brutally and deliberately murders babies, children, women and the elderly, takes civilians hostage and… pic.twitter.com/LU4mJGz18v— Lior Haiat 🇮🇱 (@LiorHaiat) October 25, 2023
“Even the Turkish president’s attempt to defend the terrorist organization and his inciting words will not change the horrors that the whole world has seen and the clear fact that Hamas is the equal of the Islamic State,” he added.
The positions remain divided. The United States and the United Kingdom reiterated their support for Israel, while Egypt and Brazil criticized this support and noted the need to defend the human rights of civilians in conflict areas.
Abdelfatah al-Sisi, the Egyptian president, assured that it was “extremely important” to prevent an Israeli ground offensive against the Gaza Strip as it would result in “numerous civilian casualties.”
Also from this region, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, said this Wednesday that “a blatant violation of international laws” was taking place in the small enclave that had fallen victim to Israeli reprisals.
In parallel, Bin Abdulrahman attacked the statements made this Tuesday by Israeli diplomatic chief Eli Cohen, who questioned his country’s support for Israel.
“These provocative statements undermine efforts and can only be understood in the context of blackmail and political propaganda. We hope that all parties will respect the efforts of Qatar and its partners and help us make them successful,” Bin said. Abdulrahman.
With EFE and Portal