The conflict between the UN and Israel is becoming more intense. After UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip and expressed concern about “clear violations of international humanitarian law”, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, today called for the resignation of the diplomat.
Guterres shows “understanding for a campaign of mass murder of children, women and the elderly” and is not fit to lead the UN, Erdan wrote on Twitter (X). “I urge him to resign immediately.”
Another tweet said: “It’s really sad that the head of an organization that was created after the Holocaust has such terrible views.”
“Hamas attacks do not happen in a vacuum”
Guterres had previously said of Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel that it was important to recognize “that Hamas’ attacks did not happen in a vacuum. The Palestinian people have been subject to an oppressive occupation for 56 years.”
The resentment of the Palestinian people cannot justify Hamas’ horrific attacks, Guterres said. “And these terrible attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”
In this context, Guterres spoke of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The Israeli ambassador to the UN, Erdan, condemned Guterres’ statements as a “justification of terror and murder”.
Israeli Foreign Minister cancels meeting
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen canceled a meeting with Guterres over his comments. “I will not meet with the UN Secretary-General. After October 7th, there is no room for a balanced position,” said Cohen.
The Foreign Minister also used drastic words to reject calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. “Tell me: what is your proportionate response to the murder of babies, the raping and burning of women, and the beheading of a child? “How can you agree to a ceasefire with someone who has sworn to kill you and destroy your very existence?” Cohen angrily shouted at the UN Security Council.
The United States supported Israel. “We must affirm the right of every nation to defend itself and prevent such harm from happening again,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Meanwhile, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Maliki accused the Security Council of inaction in the face of escalating violence in the Middle East.